Since allowing private sector participation in the power sector from 1991, 57 private power projects having a total capacity of around 29,375 MW, have so far been accorded Techno-Economic Clearance (TEC) by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. In a written reply, Power Minister Suresh P Prabhu said that the policy announced in 1991, has been reviewed or modified from time to time, with a view to give a push to power sector reforms and streamlining the procedures for speedy development of the power projects.
VSNL:government has decided to advance the termination of the VSNL monopoly in international telephony services from April 1, 2004 to April 1, 2002 and in lieu has approved a compensation package for VSNL, Communications Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said. Under this compensation, government would provide the matching amount paid by VSNL as entry fee for a period of five years commencing from April 1, 2001, net of taxes, he said.
Paswan said that the performance bank guarantee of Rs 400 crore for the prescribed roll out will be waived.
Government could also consider additional compensation if found to be necessary, the minister said.
Bureau Report