Centre aims to provide 24X7 power to all by 2019

New Delhi, Dec 28: The central government is on target to meet its ambitious goal to give uninterrupted electricity to all homes across India, an official said here Sunday. "Comprehensive state-specific action plans for 24x7 power to all homes is being prepared in partnership with respective states, encompassing generation, transmission and distribution," the power ministry said in its year-end review. "We believe our steps to increase coal production are on the right track, our targets are quite doable, whether it is renewable energy, coal production or 24x7 power, we are very confident of our targets," said Power Minister Piyush Goyal, who also holds the portfolios of coal and new and renewable energy. According to official estimates, 53 million homes in the country are not yet electrified and many offices and factories continue their operation on diesel gensets. The salient changes proposed in the Electricity Act are aimed at enhancing grid safety, unbundling the distribution sector, promoting renewable energy and tariff rationalisation. Within a given area, multiple distribution companies would be licensed to operate and offer power to consumers.