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Kerala is a state that does India proud constantly. Doesn’t it? Be it with its literacy rate, employment equality, deep-rooted culture or anything, Kerala is one state where our pride lies. Adding another feather to their cap, the state has become India’s first and only one to make electricity available in each and every home. That’s right!
It means complete electrification of the state. In their official Press Release dated May 29, the official website of state’s Information & Public Relations Department read the good news.
“Complete electrification in the state is complete. Kerala is the first state to get electrification of all the houses. As part of the project, the KSEB has completed completing works for establishing power line and related equipment worth Rs 174 crores to power up to one lakh households.”
In an official announcement on Facebook, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan’s post listed all the achievements.
Kerala has become the first state in India to be completely electrified. The previous Left Democratic Front government had begun the work to achieve this. In 2009, Palakkad was declared as India’s first completely electrified district. In the following two years Thrissur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha also successfully achieved this status. Eighty five legislative assembly constituencies became fully electrified during that period. However, there was no followup to this endeavour by the government that followed. Had they ensured continuity in the works that were initiated, Kerala would have been a completely electrified state back in 2012 itself.
Kerala Electricity Board had taken up this work in a disciplined and scientific manner. Efficient mechanisms were put in place to identify houses and anganwadis without electricity. Apart from door to door surveys, beneficiaries were provided with the opportunity to submit application for the project through the section offices and elected representatives. In addition, registration was provided through missed-call and WhatsApp. The application process for power connection was also simplified. Expected beneficiaries for the project were around one lakh families but the department identified around 1.50 lakh families who would benefit from the project of which 1.25 lakh families were Below Poverty Line (BPL), 32000 families from the SC communities and 17000 families from the STs.
Most of the registered members were extremely poor that they couldn’t even wire their homes. Employees of the board and their organisations provided great assistance in helping these families. Many voluntary organisations have also participated in this activity. The electricity board has taken over the wiring activities of about 30000 BPL families. Electrifying hamlets in forest areas was another high point of the project. Power supply was assured in remote forest areas where usual grid connectivity was not feasibly by installing solar power plants. Twenty two such remote colonies and 1600 homes were given electricity. Apart from KSEB, ANERT and Energy Management Center also participated in this activity.
The norms set by the central government to complete electrification in rural area require that at least two public utilities are electrified in villages and at least 10% of total households are provided with power. As per the provisions of this convention, Kerala was completely electrified several years back itself. However, the government has decided to provide power to all the Anganwadis and houses. Kerala has achieved this great feat when electricity has not reached 4000 villages and 4.5 Crore households in the country.
Efforts are on to divide and privatise electricity sector all over the country. Privatisation measures undertaken by the Central Government through Electricity Law in 2003 have created a serious crisis in the field. Our state will not divide and privatise the power sector. Government’s policy is to withstand the pressures and keep the electricity board in the public sector as a single institution. Unlike the national policy that considers electricity as a product to earn profit, Kerala state government conceives it as an infrastructure for social development. KSEB is to be made efficient and a role model for the entire nation by asserting its role in Kerala’s social development. Expecting everyone’s wholehearted support in achieving this goal.
#TotalElectrification
Kerala Electricity Board had taken up this work in a disciplined and scientific manner. Efficient mechanisms were put in place to identify houses and anganwadis without electricity. Apart from door to door surveys, beneficiaries were provided with the opportunity to submit application for the project through the section offices and elected representatives. In addition, registration was provided through missed-call and WhatsApp. The application process for power connection was also simplified. Expected beneficiaries for the project were around one lakh families but the department identified around 1.50 lakh families who would benefit from the project of which 1.25 lakh families were Below Poverty Line (BPL), 32000 families from the SC communities and 17000 families from the STs.
Most of the registered members were extremely poor that they couldn’t even wire their homes. Employees of the board and their organisations provided great assistance in helping these families. Many voluntary organisations have also participated in this activity. The electricity board has taken over the wiring activities of about 30000 BPL families. Electrifying hamlets in forest areas was another high point of the project. Power supply was assured in remote forest areas where usual grid connectivity was not feasibly by installing solar power plants. Twenty two such remote colonies and 1600 homes were given electricity. Apart from KSEB, ANERT and Energy Management Center also participated in this activity.
The norms set by the central government to complete electrification in rural area require that at least two public utilities are electrified in villages and at least 10% of total households are provided with power. As per the provisions of this convention, Kerala was completely electrified several years back itself. However, the government has decided to provide power to all the Anganwadis and houses. Kerala has achieved this great feat when electricity has not reached 4000 villages and 4.5 Crore households in the country.
Efforts are on to divide and privatise electricity sector all over the country. Privatisation measures undertaken by the Central Government through Electricity Law in 2003 have created a serious crisis in the field. Our state will not divide and privatise the power sector. Government’s policy is to withstand the pressures and keep the electricity board in the public sector as a single institution. Unlike the national policy that considers electricity as a product to earn profit, Kerala state government conceives it as an infrastructure for social development. KSEB is to be made efficient and a role model for the entire nation by asserting its role in Kerala’s social development. Expecting everyone’s wholehearted support in achieving this goal.
#TotalElectrification
This is a major step towards a wholly developed India and we are proud of the Keralites and their amazing perseverance. It is surely an example other states should take notes from and definitely follow. And, that’s the ultimate dream.
Bravo, people. Take a bow!
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