Centre decides to provide power to New Delhi

Bangalore, May 7: Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shindhe today said that his Ministry had taken a decision to provide a smooth and sufficient power supply to New Delhi as it is the national capital.

Mr Shindhe told reporters here today that the national capital would not experience any acute shortage of power in future following thus decision. He said the decision was taken at a review meeting yesterday.

He said that New Delhi exeprienced the acute shortage mainly due to overdrawing of power by Uttar Pradesh at the rate of 400 MW a day.

"UP will have to pay for the overdrawing of power at the penal rate of Rs 5.70 per unit than the normal rate," he said.

He said that the disciplinary mechanism to discourage any state from overdrawing is to ask to make the payment at the penal rate.

Mr Shindhe also said that the matter would be referred to the Regulatory Commission.

He said that the all maintenance work to be taken up this month have been postponed for providing of smooth supply of power to the capital.

UNI