Uniform pricing of Power ruled out by Union Power Minister
Barh (Bihar)
Union Power Minister R K Singh Saturday ruled out uniform pricing of power in the country, saying that rates will differ because of various factors.
The electricity rates are decided by central and the state electricity regulatory commissions, he said in reply to questions by reporters here.
Besides, coal transportation costs are different for different plants. Also, various state governments have different agreements with power plants across the country, he said.
Bihar, which has insufficient power, has been making vociferous demands for uniform power tariff.
Singh said the new power tariff policy, which is being considered, will be implemented only after consulting all the state governments.
Certain amendments to the Electricity Act will also be implemented after taking the states into confidence, he said.
Singh also asked state governments to give subsidy directly to consumers under the direct benefit transfer scheme.
On the handing over of Bihar’s power plants to NTPC, the minister praised the decision, saying it would save 10-15 paise per unit for the state government in the generation of power.
The minister said NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh, who accompanied him, had assured him that the target will be fulfilled as per the rescheduled timeline.
Singh also praised NTPC for not increasing the cost of power in the past five-six years despite the 45 per cent increase in the cost of coal and freight.
The union power minister said he has written to state governments, including Bihar, for providing barren land for setting up solar plants.
PTI
