This Article is From Mar 03, 2012

Serious lapses by states in implementing central projects

Kozhikode: Union Minister of State for Power K C Venugopal said several states, including Kerala, hadcommitted 'serious lapses' in implementing central project to provide electricity to the poor.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function, he said that as per the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification project, about 250 transformers should have been installed in one year in the state, but not even three have been installed.

The state government will be informed of the implications due to the lapses, he said.

The project was implemented in Kerala during the previous government's regime, he said, adding the 'lethargic' attitudeof the contractors was the reason the project is being delayed.

Kerala State Electricity Board, along with the central government was implementing the project, the aim of which wasto see that people below the poverty line get electricity, he said.

Considering the demand of the state government, Kerala's share from the central pool will be increased, Venugopal said.
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