FINNISH MINISTER
CALLS ON SMT. JAYAWANTI MEHTA
A business delegation
of Finland led by Mr. Jari Vilen, Minister for Foreign Trade,
Finland called on Smt. Jayawanti Ben Mehta, Minister of State
for Power recently. Smt. Mehta gave a brief account of power sector
scenario in the country and suggested areas of cooperation between
India and Finland particularly in distributed generation.
The Minister emphasised
that the priority of Ministry of Power is to provide affordable
power to the people in India and described the steps taken in
the direction of completing rural electrification by 2007 and
making power available to all households by 2010.
Smt. Mehta told the
delegation that liberal regime of Foreign Direct Investment is
already available in India in generation, transmission and distribution.
She explained that the Electricity Bill, 2001 is presently under
consideration of Parliamentary Standing committee on Energy and
will be passed after receipt of their report. This would further
liberalise the framework for development of the power sector in
India with generation becoming free from licensing.
The visiting Minister
expressed the commitment of Government of Finland to all round
business relation with India. He enquired about the time frame
for passing of Electricity Bill 2001 which provides for a liberal
framework for power sector development. Mr. Jari Vilen further
stated that his country has initiated energy conservation measures
and many of these measures could possibly be implemented in India.
