Jhakri (Himachal Pradesh), Oct 14: All states of the country had accepted the power sector reforms and were taking steps to make the sector efficient and viable, Union Power Minister Anant Geete said today. Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the first 250 mw unit of Nathpa-Jhakri hydro-electric power project here, he said that 10 state electricity boards had reduced their losses by Rs 5000 crore and would get Rs 25 crore as incentive from the centre.
As many as 27 states had set up electricity regulators, he said.
All states had signed tripartite agreements with the centre and the RBI in an effort to clear the money they owe to central power utilities, he said, adding currently there had been no more pile up of such outstanding payments.
Geete refused to give any assurance to V B Singh, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, who said the state should get 25 per cent equity share in Koldam (800 mw) and Parvati (2051 mw) hydro-power projects.
The minister, however, categorically stated that in future 25 per cent equity would be allowed to the concerned state in all projects to be executed by NHPC, NTPC or any other central public undertaking.
He said the issue of equity share in projects for which agreements had already been signed had to be decided by the union cabinet and he could not commit anything in this regard.
Bureau Report