ITANAGAR, June 25 - Centre will soon launch the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in Arunachal Pradesh, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal has said.
Goyal gave this assurance to State Power Minister TN Thongdok when the latter requested him to sanction the scheme during the two-day conference of Power, Mines and NRE Ministers of States and Union Territories at Panaji in Goa recently.
Thongdok told the Union Minister that bids have already been invited based on assurance from the Centre, an official communique informed here.
Responding to a request from Thongdok for setting up a coal based thermal plant at Kharsang, the Union Minister directed the Secretary, Coal & Power to assist Arunachal Pradesh Government in setting up of the thermal plant.
Goyal also agreed to provide additional power based on the demand and as requested by the State Government.
The Minister further assured Thongdok that the issue of imposing ban on development of small hydro power projects by the Ministry of Environment & Forest would be taken up with the Ministry.
Goyal further assured to sanction Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for towns having less than 5,000 population and advised him to submit proposals immediately. He also agreed to sanction smart meters in all households and also agreed to supply LED bulbs at subsidised rate.
Responding to the Union Minister�s advice, Thongdok said that Arunachal Pradesh would soon launch a campaign against power theft and strong action would be taken against persons involved in such illegal activities.
He also informed the Union Minister that the State is targeting to provide electricity to every household by 2018.
Earlier, Thongdok requested Goyal to authorise the State Government through the PCCF for forest and environment clearance of small hydro power projects, the communique added. � PTI
