NEW DELHI, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- India says it has allocated $12.5 billion to boost rural electrification during the current 11th Five-Year Plan.
A Power Ministry official said Wednesday the allocation is also aimed at meeting the target of providing electricity on demand by 2012, setting up nine ultra mega power projects and allowing more players in the power-equipment manufacture sector.
The official said the federal Cabinet recently approved a revamped and efficient Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyut Yojna. Households covered under this scheme are to be provided electricity by the end of the 11th Plan.
Under the scheme, the government has now sanctioned electrification of areas with a population of 100 -- earlier limited to areas with 300 or more people.
