Imphal: Union minister of state for power R.K. Singh on Tuesday launched Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) with a target of giving power connections to all households in Manipur by December next year. The BJP-led government is aiming to supply power to 1.6 lakh households.
Under the scheme, each household will pay Rs 500 (in 10 installments) at the time of power connection. After that payment is over, they will pay for the energy they consume. Free power connection will be provided to very poor families.
Launching the scheme, Singh said his ministry is ready to provide the required funds to strengthen power supply in the state. "Manipur is the fastest reforming state in the electricity sector and the ministry will provide the required funds," he promised.
Singh said the next step would be to provide round-the-clock power supply to all households in the state and he power ministry will provide funds for this too.
Stating that to achieve the target Manipur will require additional power supply, Singh said the power ministry will supply additional power.
Committing to achieve the target, chief minister N. Biren Singh, who presided over the launch, said his government is working on setting up a 500MW solar plant in the state to meet the additional power requirement. "The Manipur government has already submitted to the Centre a Rs 600-crore proposal for improving power situation in the state. The Centre may consider the state's proposal," Biren said.
The scheme was initially launched in the four hill districts of Senapati, Chandel, Noney and Churachandpur. On the day of the launch, 44 households of the four districts were given electricity connection. It will be implemented in the other districts.
Singh and Biren spoke to officials of the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd and beneficiaries in the four districts through video conferencing. "The BJP government is at the Centre and in your state for the welfare of people. Manipur is changing. The BJP believes in change and it is happening," the Union minister said.
Villagers who were given power connections on the day of the launch expressed gratitude to the government for lighting up their homes.
