The B

PUBLI

(NO.PATNA 457) PAT

No.14/3769—In com

Electricity Policy" and under

Act, 2003, the Government o

State to achieve the Nation

households as per the provisi

This Plan will come i

1.0

Introduction

1.1

The Electricity Act-2

and provision of elect

Keeping this in view

area.

1.2

Status of Rural Elec

Rural Electrification

areas. National goal o

rural households, wh

from all-round develo

The definition of an

Power letter No.- 42/1

"A village will be cl

Gram Panchayat, cert

REGISTERED

Bihar Gazett

XTRA ORDINARY

SHED BY AUTHORITY

13 BHADRA 1934(S)

TNA, TUESDAY, 4TH SEPTEMBER 20

Deptt. of Energy

————

NOTIFICATION

The 31st August 2012

URAL ELECTRIFICATION PLAN

mpliance with Section 3.4 of the Central G

r the provisions contained in section 4 and 5 of t

of Bihar hereby notifies the Rural Electrification

nal goal for providing access to electricity

ion under section-2 of National Electricity Policy

nto force from the date of its notification.

2003, has accorded renewed priority to rural e

tricity services in order to provide access to elec

, the state has identified rural electrification as

ctricity Services in Bihar.

is a vital program for socio-economic develop

of rural electrification is to provide access to ele

hich will improve standard of living of rural po

opment.

electrified village has been specified under the

1/2001 D (RE) dated 5^th February 2004 as given

lassified as electrified based on a certificate i

tifying that :-

NO. PT.-40

tetetete

012

Govt. "Rural

the Electricity

n Plan for the

for all rural

electrification

ctricity to all.

s major thrust

ment of rural

ectricity to all

opulace apart

e Ministry of

n below: -

issued by the

BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA) 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

Basic infrastructure such as Distribution Transformer and Distribution

lines are provided in the inhabited locality as well as a minimum of one

Dalit Basti/Hamlet where it exists; and

Electricity provided to public places like School, Panchayat Office,

Health Centers, Dispensaries, Community Centers etc; and

The numbers of households electrified are at least 10% of the total number

of households in the village. "

In accordance with the aforesaid definition mentioned above, the present status of

rural electrification in Bihar is as given in Table 1 to 2 (Annexure-I).

2.0 Objectives

The National Rural Electrification Policy mandates the State Governments to prepare and

notify a Rural Electrification Plan in accordance with the Rural Electrification Policy,

2006. This Rural Electrification Plan aims at: -

(i)

Providing access to electricity for all rural households.

(ii)

Making available reliable power supply.

3.0

Approach to Rural Electrification

3.1

For villages, intensive and robust distribution network having distribution voltage

of 11000 Volts and 400 volts shall be developed and necessary infrastructure of

distribution network such as sub-stations, distribution transformers, LT lines, etc.

shall be provided. The development of infrastructures is to be ensured

progressively through implementation of the schemes by the distribution licensee.

Each of the electrified villages included in the plan shall include:-

• For this purpose, tolas/habitations of the census village will be treated as a

unit.

• At least one Power Sub Station should be provided in each Block of

various districts.

• The distribution network to cover the public places like School, Panchayat

Office, Health Centres, Dispensaries, Community Centres, etc.

• The distribution network (11 KV, DSS & LT network) will run through

the length & breadth of the villages so that connection can be given on

demand.

• 3 Phase network will be provided to meet the requirement of irrigation and

rural industries.

• Depending upon availability of fund for the purpose, districts and cluster

of un-electrified/de-electrified and partially electrified villages will be

chosen for full-scale electrification. The un-electrified/de-electrified

tolas/habitations of the census villages will be electrified in full and partial

electrification in villages done earlier will also be provided with full scale

electrification.

3.2

Stand Alone Systems for Rural Areas

The State has already notified the rural areas vide Energy Deptt; Govt. of Bihar

notification no. 25 dated 17.11.2005 read with notification no. 26 dated

17.11.2005.

Govt. shall encourage the development of local stand alone system in the

area where Grid connectivity would not be feasible or cost effective based on

generation of electricity from the generators running on biomass, biogas, mini

hydro, solar, etc. State Govt. shall facilitate such projects by giving quick

clearances through administrative measures such as single window clearance with

easy access for giving necessary approval in a time bound manner to fully utilize

BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA), 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

the potential of the local resources. This will cover those areas otherwise not

being electrified from the grid power. The Nodal Agency for electrification of

such villages will be Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation (BSHPC).

3.3

Non-conventional sources of energy would be utilized even where gird

connectivity exists provided it is found to be cost effective.

3.4

Electrification (service connection) of un-electrified Below Poverty Line (BPL)

households would be financed with 100% capital subsidy as per norms of Kutir

Jyoti Program in all rural habitations. Households above poverty line would be

paying for their connections at prescribed connection charges and no subsidy

would be available for the purpose.

3.5

The Govt. will strive for dedicated agricultural feeder for ensuring assured and

quality supply for irrigation. This scheme features in the agricultural road map

approved by Govt. of Bihar for 12^th Five Year Plan.

3.6

Bihar State Electricity Board or its successor will be the nodal agency for rural

electrification in the state except those covered under para 3.2. The District level

monitoring committees as notified vide Energy Deptt., Govt. of Bihar notification

no. 11 dated 06.07.2004 read with letter no. 2148 dated 09.05.2007 and 3388

dated 30.07.2007 shall monitor the progress on rural electrification and

achievement of the various objectives of the plan in the districts.

3.7

Special efforts would be made to develop load by promoting economic activities

with active involvement of consumers so that not only adequate revenue is

generated to cover the cost of power supplied, O&M expenses and loan serving

but also fund is generated for replacement of the assets in future without need for

any capital subsidy. The State and the distribution licensee would facilitate

coordination in policy and planning between electricity supply institutions and

other sectors such as rural industries, food processing, cold chain and various

economic services to promote such economic load development.

3.8

The state will make all possible efforts to provide daily supply of at least 6 hours

of electricity in the rural areas.

3.9

The State will make required provision in the budget for fulfilling the subsidy

requirement against supply of power to the subsidised consumers in the state, in

consonance with section 65 of the Electricity Act 2003.

3.10

In order to maximize benefits from the limited resources available, it is essential

that energy efficiency is promoted in the rural areas. Therefore, State will take

steps for arousing awareness of electricity related issues including generation,

distribution, energy conservation and energy efficiency and energy- water nexus

among elected Panchayat representatives.

3.11

The use of Energy efficient lamps will be encouraged for lighting purposes. The

State would evolve programs for encouraging use of economically viable energy

efficient farm equipments, especially irrigation pump-sets, within the framework

of the Energy Conservation Act 2001.

3.12

Special efforts for widespread use of information technology would be made for

enhancing efficiency and reducing the cost.

3.13

The communities would be encouraged by substantive campaigning to take up

local electricity distribution.

4.0

Development of Infrastructure to meet the increased demand of Power

4.1

The direct and indirect increase in demand for electricity as a result of rural

electrification and progressive growth in power demand will necessitate

augmentation of Generation, Transmission and Sub-transmission infrastructure.

⁴

BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA) 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

4.2

The state shall endeavor to increase the installed capacity to meet the increased

demand through establishment of a number of power plants in State sector and

share from the Central Sector projects. Suitable provision shall be kept in the state

budget for this purpose. For transmission of the required power from generating

stations to the load centres, the State shall endeavor for erection of additional 400

KV, 220 KV, 132 KV, 33 KV transmission lines and substations.

4.3

Necessary strengthening of Sub-Transmission system will be done to cater to the

additional load due to electrification of villages including requirement of

electricity for agricultural purposes.

4.4

The State will avail the funding under various schemes of the Central Govt. for

this purpose. For the activities, which cannot be covered under Central Schemes,

the state will fund the same through budgetary support or from loans from the

financial institutions and international agencies.

5.0

Management of Local Distribution in Rural Areas

5.1

Deployment of franchisee for management of local distribution in rural areas will

be taken up in order to ensure revenue sustainability and improved services to the

consumers. Franchisees for the management of rural distribution could be

Panchayati Raj Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), users

associations, co-operative societies or individual entrepreneurs.

5.2

The State Government would make special efforts to engage the Panchayati Raj

Institutions for taking up on the responsibility of franchisee. Panchayati Raj

Institutions may be awarded franchisee on nomination basis by the utility as per

terms and conditions.

5.3

A franchisee would be responsible for distribution of electricity within an

identified contiguous area for a prescribed duration and for collecting revenues

directly from the consumers. The franchisee would also be responsible for meter

reading, bill distribution, disconnection and reconnection and minor maintenance,

etc. as provided in the terms & conditions.

5.4

Where local distribution, including activities of grid extension and undertaking of

capital expenditure programs, has been handed over to Panchayat Institutions,

users association, co-operative society or non-Government Organization, such

persons will have the universal service obligation for the area of their operation

and the supply obligation of the licensee, if any, in that area, would be residual i.e.

taking timely action to ensure supply in case franchisee fails to discharge their

contractual obligations.

5.5

A capacity building program of Panchayat Institutions, franchisees and consumer

associations will be taken up in association with REC/Govt. of India.

6.0

Retail Tariff

Due to massive rural electrification in the state, there will be substantial increase

in rural consumption. This will result in a dramatic change in the consumer mix of

the utility which will have repercussions on the tariff. State will evolve an

affordable tariff structure for identified categories of the consumers in association

with the regulator, particularly for BPL households. The gap between the tariff so

determined by the regulator and the affordable tariff for identified categories of

the consumers will be bridged through appropriate provision in the state budget in

consonance with the provisions under section 65 of the Electricity Act-2003.

7.0

Monitoring of Rural Electrification

The distribution licensee will have the basic responsibility towards achieving the

targets of village electrification except the villages covered in para 3.2 and

BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA), 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

implementation of various activities as mentioned in this RE Plan. District

Committees with members from District Administration, elected representatives,

Panchayat, Zila Parishads, consumer associations, distribution utilities, NGOs

working in Power Sector and eminent persons having knowledge of power sector,

etc. would co-ordinate and review the extension of electrification in the district,

review the quality of power supply and consumer satisfaction and promote energy

efficiency and conservation. The District Committee would also facilitate the

Rural Electrification projects, both through stand alone systems as well as grid

extension and local management of the projects, as may be required.

State level Co-ordination Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief

Secretary will be formed for reviewing the progress of rural electrification work.

8.0

Amendments to the Plan

Based on the feedback and requirements, the Government will periodically review

the progress and accordingly suitable amendments will be made in the Plan, as

and when required.

9.0

Legal Provision

Section 6 of Electricity Act 2003 empowers the State to endeavor to supply

electricity to all areas including villages and hamlets. Rural Electrification Policy

notified by the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India provides for notification of

Rural Electrification Plan by all the State Govts.

By order of the Governor of Bihar,

AJAY NAYAK,

Principal Secretary,

Deptt. of Energy.

⁶

BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA) 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

Annexure-I

Table - 1 : Status of Village Electrification

Sl.

No.

Particulars

Total number of inhabited Villages as per 2001 Census in the state

39,015

Total number of Villages partially electrified as on 31.03.2012

31,811

Total number of un- electrified inhabited villages as on

31.03.2012

7,204

Total no. of villages involved in serial no. 3 under partial

electrification under RGGVY

4,693

Number of un-electrified inhabited villages to be electrified

2,511

(a)

(b)

Through grid connectivity (approx.)

Through other solutions (DDG, etc.) (approx.)

1,862

649

Table - 2: Status of Electrification of Rural BPL Households

Total number of Rural BPL Households as per latest survey

1,26,56,105

Total number of Rural BPL Households electrified as on

31.03.2012

21,41,914

Balance number of un-electrified rural BPL households as on

31.03.2012

1,05,14,191

N. B. :—The above figures are tentative and based on 2001 census unless otherwise

specified.

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PUBLISHED AND PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT,

BIHAR SECRETARIAT PRESS, PATNA.

Bihar Gazette (Extra) 457—571+100—Egazette

Website: http://egazette.bih.nic.in