Govt committed to implement Electricity Act 2003: Dhumal

Shimla, Apr 11 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said his government is committed to the implementation of provisions of the Electricity Act 2003 that mandate separation of transmission and distribution activities only.

Replying the discussion on the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) Budget proposals for 2008-09 and supplementary financial details for 2007-08, he said steps had already been taken to achieve the objectives of the Act, while stating that the board would not be privatised.

Referring to the CAG report tabled in the House yesterday, he said the board incurred a loss of Rs 154.86 crore because of non-filing of tariff applications on time, Rs 48.21 crore because of inefficient debt restructuring and Rs 79.75 crore on account of not bringing down transmission and distribution losses for the year 2006-07.

He said a provision of Rs 170 crore had been made for 2008-09 to offset the sixth Pay Commission impact on the board finances.

This along with no generation taking place in the Bassi hydropower plant was likely to leave a revenue deficit of Rs 423.11 crore, he said and added that it had a revenue surplus of Rs 5.26 crore.

The Chief Minister said with power trading becoming a major revenue earner for power generating states, the government plans to establish an autonomous power trading company.

All power generation companies floated in the government sector would be brought within the ambit of HP Power Corporation (HPPCL), which has been entrusted for executing about 900 MW of projects.

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