Government mission to have ‘One Nation, One Grid, One Price’: Piyush Goyal

Stressing that government's mission is to have 'one nation, one grid, one price', Power Minister Piyush Goyal said that electricity is available at same rate of Rs 4.40 per unit across India. "Government's mission is to achieve one nation, one grid, and one price. This is momentous. It is a delight to tell you all that as of this moment all of India has power at the same rate that is Rs 4.40," Goyal said at an Energy Conclave organised by a media house on Tuesday. Goyal stated that he was trying to achieve the target of uniform power rates across the country. "People everywhere should be able to find out if power is available through the mobile application 'Vidyut Pravah'. This mobile application also gives the rates at which power is available on the grid," the minister added. He said, bringing power to all was not just a target but a mission and commitment as well for the government. He further said that the Centre believes it should achieve energy sufficiency for the next generation and is also confident of transformational changes in the coming 3 years. Talking about the rural electrification programme, he said his ministry is constantly monitoring the number of villages that are getting powered every day. "Power has to be affordable as well as of quality. We are conscious of the environment, also of the fact that India must not become non-competitive in the world economy. We are conscious of the fact that village children who are talented should not forgo opportunities due to absence of electricity," Goyal said. Highlighting Power sector achievements of last year, he said electrifying 7,108 villages out of 18,452 un-electrified villages against the target of 2,800, distribution of more than 9 crore LED bulbs by EESL only, thus, contributing to 150 per cent growth, addition of highest ever 3,200 MW of wind power capacity have been some benchmarks of the year. The minister asserted that the UDAY scheme launched by the government will be the fulcrum of the power sector reforms and renewal. "By 2019, the power sector will save nearly Rs 1.8 lakh crore annually," he said. Talking about the hydro power, he said: "Year 2016-17 is dedicated to hydro power. It got a push some 30-40 years ago, but in recent past it has been ignored due to huge challenges like local resistance and issues of land acquisition." Source: The Economic Times