Odisha has achieved about 84.28% electrification target by September end under the Centrally-sponsored Rajeev Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).
So far, 37,264 villages have been electrified in the state out of 44,215 villages to be covered under the scheme and 34,846 villages have been charged. Total charged villages included 19,259 un-electrified and 13,056 partially electrified villages.
RGGVY work is being implemented in the state by three Central PSUs - National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the nodal agency for implementing the Central programme.
According to REC, out of 14,861 un-electrified villages in the state 14,281 villages have been electrified, while 22,983 partially electrified villages have been electrified from the total of 29,354 assigned villages under the RGGVY.
“Even if the deadline has been extended till December, 2012 by the government, the implementation of the programme will be accomplished by March next year”, said an official in the know.
The officials attributed the slow progress in RGGVY implementation to delay in forest and railway clearances and right of way issues.
Charging work was especially hit in villages under districts like Boudh, Kendrapada, Jagatsingpur, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi and Malkangiri.
Under the programme, 90% grant is provided by Government of India and balance 10% as loan by REC to the state governments. RGGVY in the state is implemented at a sanctioned cost of Rs 3770.71 crore, covering 32 projects in 30 districts.
It may be noted that Odisha has already missed a deadline to complete the RGGVY implementation by March, 2012.
States like Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have achieved 100% electrification.
