Speed-up housing, Digital India schemes: PM to officials

Directions issued as Modi reviews progress of key infra sectors in country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed officials to expedite implementation of the government's promise for housing for all as also to provide broadband to all gram panchayats to facilitate e-governance.

The directions were issued while he reviewed the progress of key infrastructure sectors in the country, including power, oil and gas, renewable energy, coal, housing and ports, as also the 'Digital India' programme.

"The prime minister was informed that progress of electrification of all unelectrified villages is proceeding at a rapid pace. Out of the approximately 18,500 unelectrified villages, 6,000 have already been electrified," an official statement said.

Modi also took special interest in renewable energy, notably on the progress in distribution of LED bulbs across the country. Officials said that against the target of 175 Gw of such energy capacity by 2022, 39.5 Gw of installed capacity had already been achieved.

Apart from his directive for immediate steps to scale up the speed of providing broadband to gram panchayats, he also sought to know the progress made in providing Wi-Fi at important tourist destinations across the country -- 12 such locations have been covered so far.

On coal, he was told that the state-run company achieved a 9.2% output growth this year, compared to an average of 3% over the last 5 years. This apart, 1,371 telecom towers have been erected to provide mobile connectivity in Naxal-affected villages.

"The prime minister reviewed progress towards housing for all. He directed concerned officials to expedite the implementation of this scheme, using a judicious mix of modern technology, and local building materials and techniques."