Parliamentary Panel Bats For More Household Level Electrification

Parliamentary Panel Bats For More Household Electrification

A Parliamentary Standing Committee On Energy has now presented its first report of the panels. The panel in their key recommendations batted for the inclusion of more households for electrification. The panel was chaired by Lok Sabha MP Appa Barne. 

The panel also advocated for the use of more funds for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled and other backward groups. The panel said that the electrification drive should be taken up in a mission mode.

“Appreciating the fact that the Government of India stands committed to support all the States for electrification of households, the Committee has recommended that electrification of an additional 9,35,688 households should be done on mission mode,” the report said.

 Talking about the inclusion of the backward sections of society in India’s power sector schemes, the panel said, “The Committee have recommended that the Ministry should focus on maximum utilization of funds allocated for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Socially Backward Groups as per the mandated requirement so that these groups get included in the development process of the Power Sector.”  

It also raised the issue of a lack of awareness among the people toward smart meters. The Indian government is now working towards boosting smart meters to avoid the losses of the local power distribution companies. However, lack of awareness seems to be a bottleneck. The panel noted that the awareness programmes need to take up vernacular languages to boost their efficacy. 

“Observing that there is an urgent need to create awareness about Smart Meters among the masses as support of the people is of utmost importance in making implementation of a Programme successful, the Committee have recommended that awareness programme, preferably in vernacular language, should be initiated in order to enhance awareness for adoption of Smart Meters at the consumer level.  

The Committee also talked about the need for single-window cells to boost hydroelectric power in the state.