'Govt allocates Rs 42,000 m for countrywide electricity'

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday stated that the government had allocated Rs 42,000 million to complete the 100 percent electricity provision to the entire country by end of 2012.

He also stated that there are only 642,000 houses to be provided with electricity.

He added that measures had been already taken to provide electricity to 300,000 houses this year and the rest could be provided with electricity before end of next year adding that the government had initiated the "Grama Shakthi" programme to provide electricity through alternative means to those houses where the electricity net work does not have access.

Through this programme, needy people will be provided with solar power at concessionary rates or free of charge.