Inside Pages9Final.indd - Ministry of Power

Chapter - 8
MINISTRY OF POWER
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME
Rural electrification has been regarded as a vital
programme for the development of rural areas. In 1947,
only 1500 villages were electrified in India. The per
capita consumption was 14 units. The inital focus was
on ‘electrification for irrigation’ to enhance agricultural
produce which was reflected in the definition of village
electrification accepted till 1997 - that “ a village was
deemed to be electrified if electricity is being used within
its revneue area for any purpose whatsover”.
This definition of village electrificaiton was reviewed in
consultation with the State Government and State Electircity
Boards and following new definition was adopted after
1997 :
“A village will be deemed to be electrified if electricity is
used in the inhabited locality within the revenue boundary
of the village for any purpose whatsover.”
In February, 2004, the definition was made even more
encompassing as also target specific. “A village would be
declared electrified if :
(i) Basic infrastructure such as distribution trasformer
and distribution lines are provided in the inhabited
locality as well as the dalit/ hamlet where it exists.
(For electrification through Non-conventional Energy
Sources a distribution transformer may not be
necessary.)
Dr. Manmohan Singh Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with (L to R) Late Shri P.M. Sayeed former Minister of Power,
Smt. Sonia Gandhi Chairperson, UPA and Shri R.V. Shahi Secretary, (Power) at the launch of RGGVY
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