CPSU power plants to supply electricity in nearby areas

The union power ministry has launched a scheme for electrification of villages within 5 km periphery of generation plants of central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) for providing reliable and quality power to the project affected people.

The scheme provides for free electricity connections to BPL households, according to a booklet containing guidelines on the new scheme released by union power minister Sushilkumar Shinde at the state power ministers' conference in New Delhi today.

The scheme will cover all existing and upcoming power plants of CPSUs, which will also bear the cost of the schemes. This cost will be booked by the CPSU under the project cost.

For implementing the scheme, the CPSUs will supplement the existing infrastructure of the ditribution companies (DISCOM) to the exten required.

However, state utility will have to provide data, clearances, access and space in their existing substations for making the implementation possible in an effective manner. The SEB will have to appoint a nodal officer for this purpose.

After completion of the infrastructure in the selected villages, it will be handed over to the state utility for operation and maintenance.