The Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme (RGRES) that existed when the Modi-government came to power provided power to villages that were easy to access and hence there was a need for Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Rural Electrification Scheme, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday.
“There was certainly a scheme by that name… what that scheme had provided that all the simpler villages which were easier to access were taken up first and these 18,452 villages which are in dense forests and at the top of mountains remained un-electrified,” Mr. Goyal said.
Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Rural Electrification Scheme, the government aims to electrify every Indian home a year before next general election. Mr. Goyal added: “The scheme (RGRES) took electricity to the village, maybe to the panchayat office or to the sarpanch’s home. Ten per cent of the homes got electrified in many cases and they declared that this village is electrified and that’s it. Our work is done.” However, Modi-government’s task is to ensure every home gets the benefit of power, he said, adding, “My own father studied under the streetlight and I don’t want any other child in this country to have to study under the streetlight. That is Prime Minister Modi’s vision and we will deliver on it.”
Asked about the measures for middle class in the Budget 2016, Mr. Goyal said the government has addressed larger eco-system issues and among other things have simplified the tax structure “very significantly”.
