Electric power production and distribution has been a major issue in the State since many decades. PDD has often come under server censure for its inability to provide uninterrupted electric power to the consumers. Its distribution system has never been considered technically perfect. Transformers when damaged, take months and months to get repaired and recharged causing great inconvenience to the consumers. Additionally, inefficiency and corruption in the department have brought down its overall reputation. It is a sad commentary that nobody is prepared to highlight the positive aspects of the PDD. Comparing with what was the status of supply of power in the state three decades ago, we should have no hesitation in saying that the PDD has made many achievements. It is easy to say that our State has huge water resources and is capable of producing 20,000 MW of electricity. That is mere propaganda and political statement. What actually matters is the cost and technical worthiness to convert this resource into energy.
The Union Ministry of Power has not found justification in State’s argument that the cost of electrification of hitherto un-electrified villages in the State has escalated to the extent of over rupees one crore per village as has been proposed by the State under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). The Ministry has conveyed directions for revisiting the Detailed Project Reports for electrification of un-electrified villages. The Ministry has made its estimation on the basis of its nation-wide experience of electrifying un-elected villages. Reduction of the draft proposal by more than 50 per cent is going to adversely affect the entire project and it is feared that 83 un-electrified villages in 21 districts of the State may not be fortunate enough to enjoy the facility of electrification for many more years.
It is unfortunate that even after nearly seven decades of independence 83 villages should remain without electricity in this age of science and technology. This is the level of our backwardness. Depriving 83 villages of electricity is unjust and as such a via media shall have to be found to bring relief to them. The PDD should reduce the costs minimally under other heads but revive the provision for electrifying these villages under the plan. The Rural Electrification Corporation and the State Government have to jointly address this issue.
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