All NE villages to be electrified by 2012: Prabhu

NEW DELHI, April 30 ? All villages in the North-east would be electrified by 2012. This assurance was given to the all-party delegation of the Assam Legislative Assembly by Union Power Minister Suresh Prabhu here today. Prabhu further disclosed that his Ministry was considering a proposal not to make security-related expenditure part of the cost of power projects. Prabhu said he had already taken up the issue with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. A final decision is likely to be taken soon, he assured. The all-party delegation led by Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker, Prithibi Majhi today continuing their meetings with Central Ministers called on Union Power and Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministers. The Power Minister apprised the delegation that although Government of India has set 2007 as target for electrifying all villages, in the North-east, all villages would be effectively electrified by 2012. In the next 10 years, the entire North-east would be electrified, he added.

The Minister, who revealed that he was planning to visit Assam next month, agreed that Assam State Electricity Board needed to be restructured. The delegation requested that the current decade may be devoted for modernising and strengthening transmission and distribution network in the State. The power minister was also urged to revive the sick generation units of ASEB including the Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station and LSHS-based Chandrapur Thermal power plant. The delegation also urged the power minister to revive the Karbi Longpi Power Project. The delegation pleaded that three States of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur be asked submit their no objection certificates to the Centre to pave the way for early clearance of the 1500 mw Tipaimukh hydel project.