Question

The New Industrial Policy (2016) of Government of Jharkhand has given top priority to rural electrification with an objective of?
1. 70% Electrification by 2017
2. 80% Electrification by 2017
3. 90% Electrification by 2017
4. 100% Electrification by 2017

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : 100% Electrification by 2017

The correct answer is 100% Electrification by 2017.

• Industrial policy 2016 aimed at higher capital formation, increasing the wages of the people and provide employment opportunities to the people.

• The Government of Jharkhand gave priority to industrial growth in order to reduce poverty and employment.
• It aimed to create an industry-friendly environment to maximize investment in mineral and natural resource-based industries.
• Under this policy, the state government collaborated with GAIL for the infrastructure development of the power.
• The aim was to provide 100% rural electrification by 2017 to 32000 villages.
• At the time of this policy, there was only 15% rural electrification.
• Decisions were taken to open the State Power sector for private investment and also a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Government of India to make reforms in the power sector.

• The Government of Jharkhand has taken several initiatives for the development of this industry:- 
  •   It has signed MoU with the Government of India as a token of its commitment to the reforms in the power sector and Jharkhand is the first state to come under Udai Scheme.
  • Rural Elec  trification has been accorded top priority with an objective of 100% electrification by 2017. 
  • The work on renovation and modernization of existing power generating stations has already commenced.
  • In order to accelerate the growth in the power industry, the State government is also encouraging public/ private participation and thus is inviting investment from the industry.
  • Government of Jharkhand has signed an MOU with NTPC to develop a 4000MW power plant at Patratu thermal power station.
  • State Government power distribution company is providing power connections to industrial units through Single Window system. In addition to this, investors are having the option of getting a power connection for DVC and JUSCO in some industrial areas in the state as an alternative to power sources apart from JBVNL.
  • Efforts will be made for the installation of ULMP at Hazaribagh and Deoghar districts at the earliest.
  • Efforts will be made for the operationalization of already constructed power plants that have not started production due to the de-allocation of coal blocks.
  • Efforts will be made for ensuring 24 hours uninterrupted power supply to the industries situated in all industrial areas of the State government. All the industries getting electricity supply from 132/220 KVA feeders will be exempted from power cuts, until it is necessary for the safety of the grid. For this purpose, generation and distribution systems will be adequately upgraded.