Privatisation of power sector projected as reforms, members allege

New Delhi, Mar 1: Several members in the Lok Sabha today accused the government of projecting the privatisation of power sector as 'reforms' even as private projects like Dabhol had proved that dismantling of public sector power infrastruture would result in cost of generation and supply going up.

Dismissing the members' observation, Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde admitted that there were some lacunae in clearance of Dabhol Power project in Maharashtra as it was the first such private venture in the country. Later, those mistakes had been rectified.

Now after getting clearance from all controversies, the Dabhol power project will begin its generation in May, the Minister said adding the government had set up an Empowered Committee to avoid delays in exectution of projects monitoring mechanism.

Claiming that power reforms meant increasing efficiency in generation and distribution of electricity with minimum trasmission losses, Mr Shinde said power generation had touched 1,24000 MW now from a mere 1363 MW in 1947 when the country got its independence.

He said five ultra mega power projects, each of 4000 MW, are being installed to meet the increasing power requirements of the country.

And, attempts are on to exploit the hydro-power potential of 50,000 MW in North Eastern states besides enhancing nuclear power generation.

UNI