The Prime Minister’s visit of Varanasi has been cancelled due to heavy rains since morning. He was to inaugurate Trauma centre in BHU and launch the prestigious ‘Integrated Power Development Scheme’ (IPDS) of Power Ministry in Varanasi today. Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) of Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy told in a Press Conference at Varanasi today afternoon that the programme has been postponed in view of the inconveinence to the public due to continuous rains since morning. He told that the new date for the launch of IPDS will be decided shortly in consultation with the meteorological department. He further added that the ‘IPDS’ is an initiative of the Ministry of Power, Government of India for urban areas in all States and Union Territories for strengthening of power sub-transmission and distribution network, 100% metering at feeders/distribution transformer/consumers and for IT enablement of distribution sector.
The Government of India is extending a total budgetary support of Rs.45, 800 crore for implementation of this scheme. Projects worth Rs 3,268 crore, covering 247 towns have been sanctioned so far under IPDS of which projects worth Rs.1067 crore for 23 circles covering 91 towns have been sanctioned for UP. This includes Rs. 432 crores for Kashi Area (8 km x 2 km) & Rs. 140 crore for balance Varanasi Town. Shri Goyal said that in this project the share of the Centre will be 60% and of the States 10% where as loan by PSU’s of the ministry 30%. If the States comply with certain norms fixed by the Govt of India then the Centre shares will rise to 75%. In case of J&K and NE States the Centre share will be 90% and States 5% and loan by PSU’s 5%.