Piyush Goyal Union Minister of State (IC) for Coal, Power and New and Renewable Energy said that the Government stands committed to achieve electrification of all un-electrified villages in the country by 31st March 2017 and covering access to all rural households. Shri Goyal was addressing a workshop organized for sensitizing Gram Vidyut Abhiyantas’ (GVAs) of their Roles, Responsibilities, Functions and Reporting system here today. Congratulating GVAs, the Minister said that they have a wonderful opportunity to serve nation. He emphasized that the newly recruited GVAs will put the foundation of developed India while helping in providing better facilities in various sectors like education, health, skill development etc. Shri Goyal informed that based on the composite development of an individual, top 10 Abhiyantas will be awarded each year. REC has deployed 309 Gram Vidyut Abhiyantas (GVA) at Block/ District level in order to assist State Distribution Utilities in electrification of villages. Over 300 GVAs across the country have attended the workshop.
Shri Goyal stated that in pursuance to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s statement on 69th Independence Day regarding electrifying remaining 18500 un-electrified villages in the country within the next 1000 days, the Ministry of Power has taken up village electrification programme on Mission mode under the flagship scheme of Government of India 'Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana' (DDUGJY). Shri Goyal told that Power Ministry has chalked out a comprehensive action plan in consultation with States for electrification of all remaining un-electrified villages. He solicited the support of the States towards achieving this goal for bringing overall development in rural areas. The Minister also informed that for 3500 villages located in far flung areas where grid extension is either not feasible or cost effective; off-grid solutions have been worked in consultation with Ministry of New & Renewable Energy synergizing the whole effort. Shri Goyal also launched 'Grameen Vidyutikaran' Mobile App at the occasion. The app will ensure real time updation of progress of electrification process through web portal/ Mobile App. The 'Grameen Vidyutikaran' Mobile App can be downloaded from the 'Google Play Store'. Shri Piyush Goyal also interacted with State Energy Secretaries of 19 States through video conferencing and urged them to avail maximum benefit through the GVA & Mobile-App arrangement and to extend all cooperation in this regard. Secretary Power also interacted with GVAs and urged them to put forward their best foot for achieving the targets. He mentioned that rural electrification is on his dashboard and he is monitoring the progress on daily basis.