The Hindu : Front Page : Power self-sufficiency in ten years

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Thursday, Jul 09, 2009
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Power self-sufficiency in ten years

Special Correspondent

A.K. Balan says low voltage problem will be solved soon.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Electricity Minister A.K. Balan told the Assembly on Wednesday that the government had drawn up projects to make the State self-sufficient in electricity in ten years.

Relying to a debate on the demands for grants for Power and Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, the Minister said an ultra mega thermal plant was proposed to be set up at Cheemeni in Kasaragod in addition to a coal-based plant being set up in Orissa in collaboration with two other States.

Plans had also been prepared to augment the capacity of the Brahmapuram diesel plant and convert it into an LPG-based unit. Many smaller projects were also on the anvil. More than 4,000 houses would be electrified using solar power.

Mr. Balan said the government had drawn up a Rs.150-crore project for the distribution of 2 crore compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) at a subsidised rate. Domestic consumers would be given CFL at Rs.15 a piece. This would save power equivalent to 350 MW. All defective three-phase meters would be replaced by March 2010. Defective power lines in Kuttanad would be replaced at a cost of Rs.42 crore.

He said the low voltage problem in all areas receiving power at less than 150 volts would be solved soon. Connections requiring erection of poles would be given within 30 days. A lower tariff would be made applicable to power supplied to drinking water projects.

The Minister announced that a cooperative village settlement programme would be taken up in 200 acres at Chinnakkanal in Idukki district to settle Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Similar projects had been proposed for Palakkad and Wayanad also. Steps would be taken to settle the Chengara agitation. A survey to identify any excess land in the possession of Harrisons Malayalam Company at Chengara would begin soon.

He said that assistance to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes for building houses would be increased to Rs.1 lakh and Rs.1.25 lakh respectively. Education assistance to socially and economically backward communities would also be increased. Lump-sum grants to students would be credited to bank accounts at the beginning of the academic year itself under an e-grant system.

After the Minister’s reply, the House passed the demands totalling Rs.525 crore. NCP member Thomas Chandy formally abstained from voting.

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