55% rural households are electrified: Power Minister

55% of total rural households and 92.67% of the households in urban areas use electricity as the main source of lighting as per census 2011, the government said today.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said the government is planning to install feeder meters in every feeder, which would provide accurate figures related to demand and supply of electricity.

Presently, the data provided by states is the basis of these estimates, he said.

He, however, gave details based on the 2011 census as per which out of total 16,78,26,730 households in rural areas 9,28,08,038 (55.30%) were using electricity as the main source of lighting.

Similarly, out of total 7,88,65,937 households in urban areas, 7,30,89,256 (92.67 percent) were using electricity as the main source of lighting.

The government, he said is working to provide 24x7 electricity to all by 2022.

Goyal also sought to assure members that the government is working to increase the capacity of electricity production and will be in a position to handle an increased demand for existing and other projects in the pipeline and the focus on renewable energy.