The BJP government appears to be more interested in claiming credit for electrification of all villages than the accomplishment of electrification itself or sharing the credit with the governments it has succeeded (“All villages have been electrified, says Modi”, April 30). The hope that electrification in itself will transform the lives of the multitudes is rather misplaced given the persistence of widespread impoverishment. As of now, a village qualifies to be reckoned as an electrified one if 10% of its households have an electricity connection. This definition should change to include all households. A fact is also that households that are yet to be electrified are often too poor to afford the expenses. Free/subsidised power to the poor is needed to bring some cheer in their lives and secure a semblance of equitable distribution. Finally, uninterrupted supply must be ensured. For adequate supply we can turn to renewable sources of energy — the sun and wind.
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
