Light of hope: 24x7 power to all Indians by March 2019, says min

The minister said the government is committed to preventing widespread coal thefts by use of closed circuit television cameras.

Reiterating the promise of 24x7 electricity to all by 2019, Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said use of information technology will help in achieving the target.

"IT-enabled smart grids can have tremendous impact on the energy sector in India -- right from power generation to power consumption.

"We will ensure that all Indians have 24x7 electricity by March 2019," Goyal said while addressing the inaugural session of Digital India Conclave 2014.

The minister said the government is committed to preventing widespread coal thefts by use of closed circuit television cameras.

Goyal had earlier said the government has initiated speedy environmental clearances, steps to protect environment, renewed thrust to wind power capacity addition besides clearing the long-pending transmission projects worth Rs 12,272 crore (Rs 122.72 billion).

The minister had stated that these steps would be the government's vision for providing 24x7 consistent power.

The government has also approved Rs 43,033-crore (Rs 430.33 billion) rural electrification scheme, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.

The scheme will replace the existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana.

The scheme includes strengthening and augmentation of sub transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas, including metering of distribution transformers and feeders.