Access to electricity is one of the most enabling factors of development. It increases the standard of living and acts as a means of empowerment. It is unfortunate that even after over 70 years of Independence, thousands of villages are still not electrified. What we need today is a ‘mission mode approach’, with time-bound targets. A committed leadership and dedicated bureaucracy is a must to bring about much-needed change. If required, private partnership should also be solicited (“Shedding light on Saubhagya”, October 25)..
Badal Jain,
Bhopal
There are several deficiencies in the grandiose plans of free electricity announced by one government after another. The mass of jumbled wiring, an eyesore in most of our cities and towns, shows that maintaining supply and efficiency are also linked to transmission and distribution problems. Intelligent and simple solutions can include standalone solar units to reduce distribution challenges. Improvised solutions will go a long way in achieving the government’s latest milestone, provided the intentions are genuine and the efforts have a purpose.
R. Swarnalatha,
Chennai
The Saubhagya scheme is old wine in a new bottle. Unfortunately, successive governments roll out the same schemes but under new names. Repeated policy lapses and a failure in achieving results are because of a lack of proper and holistic planning. Merely allocating funds and announcing schemes will only fetch minimal results. The poor also need to be provided energy efficient equipment such as LED lights and energy efficient fans at subsidised rates. This will not only decrease electricity consumption but also provide them with better efficiency. Looking at renewable energy sources is also a viable and long-term solution. There have to be audits every quarter as well. “Intention” rather than getting votes must be the approach taken.
Nisha Yadav,
Dahina, Rewari, Haryana
