Bill for power distribution reforms likely in Winter Session

Kochi: A bill seeking reforms in the power distribution sector is likely to come up in the Winter Session of Parliament, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. The Minister said this after meeting leaders of trade nunions who had come here to protest against provisions in Electricity (Amendment) Bill cleared by the Standing Committee of Parliament and assured them that the concerns of the employees in the power sector will be addressed.

"I have assured them that there will be no retrenchment and cherry picking will not be permitted. The states have been given the power to decide the timing and method of introducing competition in distribution," he told reporters here when asked about trade union protest at the venue of the conference of Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers of states and Union Territories at this coastal city. He said the states have been given the power to decide the roadmap about how and when they would like to introduce competition in the sector.

"While we believe competition is essential to improve the efficiency and customer service for the people of India, it is also important for us to respect the state's sentiment," Goyal said. Asked whether the Electricity (Amendment) Bill would be taken up in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, he said, "I do hope that".

He, however, expressed concern over the approach being adopted by the opposition in Parliament, alleging that it was "hellbent on stopping the economic progress of the country and does not desire that the people of India should benefit by progressive measures of the Modi government".

"The government is completely determined to run the Winter Session. We are very very keen to serve the people of India for which we want the Parliament to run," he said.

The Centre has approved various amendments to the existing Electricity Act 2003, aimed at enabling consumers to choose their electricity supplier, among other reforms. The amendments will also promote competition, efficiency in operations and improvement in quality of supply of electricity in the country, resulting in capacity addition and ultimate benefit to consumers.

The Centre has also said wherever there are existing power purchase agreements, the interests of stakeholders will be protected, which will be done in consultation with the power regulator. The government plans to allow competition at the last mile or to the end-consumer without raising tariff or compromising on better customer service.