GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF POWER 

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2283

ANSWERED ON: 22.08.2013 

IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRICITY ACT 

(a) whether the Electricity Act, 2003 was enacted to bring improvement in the power sector; 

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether after enactment of the same, the availability of power as well as power tariffs have increased in the country; 

(d) if so, the quantum of power available as well as the power tariffs at present vis-a-vis the year 2003; and 

(e) the details of the households having electricity at present as compared to the year 2003?

ANSWER

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Electricity Act, 2003 has consolidated the laws relating to the generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and generally for taking measures conducive to the development of electricity industry promoting competition therein, protecting interest of consumers and supply of electricity to all areas, rationalization of electricity tariff and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. 

 (c) & (d): The generation from Central, State and private sector in the country has increased more than 70% since 2002-03. The actual generation has been as under: 

(e) : As per census 2001, the total number of rural households in the country were 13.82 crore. Out of these 6.01 crore rural households were electrified and 7.80 crore rural households were to be provided access to electricity. 

Government of India launched `Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana – Programme for creation of Rural Electricity Infrastructure & Household Electrification in April 2005 for providing access to electricity to rural households. Cumulatively, as on 31.7.2013, against the coverage of release of free electricity connections to 2.77 crore BPL households, free electricity connection to 2.11 crore BPL households (76%) have been provided under the scheme.