Govt aims to electrify 100,000 homes per day to cover 37 million by Dec 13

Under the Saubhagya Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, free electricity connections to all households will be provided

Union minister R K Singh on Wednesday said the Centre has set a target of electrifying 100,00 households per day to cover 37 million (3.70 crore) unelectrified houses under Saubhagya scheme within December 31 across the country.

Under the Saubhagya Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, free electricity connections to all households (both APL and poor families) in rural areas and poor families in urban areas will be provided.

Addressing the inaugural event of Saubhagya scheme in Agartala on Wednesday, the Union power minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a pledge to connect every village in the country within 1000 days after the NDA government came to office in 2014.

"The target was fulfilled ahead of deadline on April 28 this year," Singh said adding that the government was now eyeing to connect each household by December 31, 2018.

The minister claimed that the installed capacity of power in the country was 3,34,000 MW four years back but in four years of the NDA government, 110 thousand MW capacities were added.

He said 36,000 MW capacity was also added to renewable energy sector against the previously available installed capacity of 34,000 MW.

On Tripura, Singh said, required funds would be given to the state.

"We are partnering with you in every step. I will always be there. Whatever assistance you need, I will be there. That's a pledge," he said.

As Tripura is a hilly state, Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Devvarma said, the state government is likely to focus on solar power and windmills to connect electricity to every household.