Union minister of state with independent charge for power, coal and new and renewable energy Piyush Goyal on Sunday attacked the state government for failing to improve the power scenario.

The minister was here in Patna to launch a project under the aegis of Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in 36 un-electrified villages of diara areas in Patna and Saran districts.

Launching the project, Goyal said: "It's sad that even at close proximity to the city, the people of diara areas have not seen electricity after 68 years of Independence." He added that 11,375 households would be benefited from the scheme.

He said whatever electricity Bihar is getting is from the centre's pool, as the state has produced zero MW electricity on its own in the past three years.

He also announced launching of a pilot project in the state wherein the Union ministry of power, through Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has initiated a project with the help of IIT-Madras to provide uninterrupted DC (direct current) power to consumers during power-cuts.

The scheme would be implemented at Sasaram, Dehri-on-Sone, Bikramganj and Buxar at an estimated cost of Rs 67 crore and would benefit 1 lakh household in these areas.

Announcing relief to the farmers of the state, Goyal said separate feeders would be installed for agriculture purpose at an estimated cost of Rs 4,440 crore.

These feeders, specially earmarked for agriculture, would provide electricity to fields benefiting lakhs of farmers.