PRESENT STATUS OF POWER REFORM
Ministry of Power
has signed State specific Memorandum of Understanding/Memorandum
of Agreement on power sector reforms with twenty seven States.
Twenty-one States
have constituted State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).
Further fifteen SERCs have issued tariff orders. Nine States have
unbundled/corporatised their State Electricy Boards. Ten States
have enacted their own Reform Law. Distribution has been privatised
in Orissa and Delhi. A new central legislation namely the Electricity
Act, 2003 has been enacted, providing for a liberal framework
for development of the power sector.
Under the new Accelerated
Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), the Central Government
has been providing financial assistance for specific projects
in identified distribution circles aimed at bringing about a turn
around. This has now been combined with the provision of incentive
by way of grant to the States linked to the actual reduction in
cash losses. During the Financial Year 2002-03 State power utilities
of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana have shown cash loss reduction
for the year 2001-02 to the tune of Rs.579.75 crore, Rs.1072.29
crore and Rs.10.20 crore respectively. An interim relief of incentive
to these States amounting to Rs.137.89 crore, Rs.236.37 crore
and Rs.5.01 crore respectively have been made on March 31, 2003.
Substantial relief
has also been given to the State Utilities through the securitisation
of past dues to Central Public Sector Undertakings under the Tripartite
Agreement signed with 27 out of 28 States.
This information
was given by Smt. Jayawanti Mehta, Minister of State for Power
in a written reply to a question by Shri Y.V.Rao in Lok Sabha
today.
