Punjab seeks liberal package from Centre for capacity addition

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today sought a ''liberal package'' from the Centre for building a strong power supply base in the state to sustain production foodgrains.

Speaking at the conference of Chief Ministers on Power Sector Reforms here, Mr Badal said ''We need liberal support and financial assistance from the Union government during 11th Five Year Plan for creating additional generation capacity and to reduce in aggregate Technical and Commercial losses (AT&C).

Punjab has around 30 per cent deficit of power during peak demand in the paddy sowing season with present generation capacity of 6200 MWs available from all sources.

Along with the ongoing GHTP project Stage two (2x250 MW) and the 600 MW (2x300 MWs) Gobindwal Sahib Thermal Power Projects, allotted to a private developer, the state government has taken steps for setting up two 1200 MW Thermal Power Projects on Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis in Mansa and Sangrur districts.

However, Mr Badal regretted that unlike other northern states, Punjab had been denied any Central Sector Power facility.

That is why Punjab could not avail additional power allocation or free power as admissible to the home states where such thermal or hydro power stations are located, he added.

Mr Badal also said his state's share from unallocated power of Central Sector projects was decreasing every year and needed to be restored to 30 per cent.

He also demanded that at least 20 per cent share from Dadri Extention and Badarpur Extention and also from other upcoming NTPC projects be given to Punjab. Power available from Dadri and Badarpur Extensions has been reserved for Delhi, the host city of Commonwealth Games.

Besides, the Chief Minister demanded allocation of 4.5 million metric standard cubic meter gas per day(mmscmd)for Doraha GCHT Station of 1000 MW and connecting Punjab with National Gas Grid through Dadri-Nangal pipeline.

He also sought 25 per cent extra power from future hydro projects. And Punjab may be allowed to set up Mega Power Stations near coal pitheads as carrying coal to the state was a costly affair, he added.

Punjab which has achieved cent per cent electrification long back in 1976, has prepared a roadmap for reduction of AT&C losses, replacement of compact flourescent lamps (CFLs) and encouraging of captive energy generation.

UNI