Consensus on power reforms sought

The Cabinet has asked the power ministry to restart consultations with stakeholders on the Tariff Policy and National Electricity Policy. The ministry, which on Friday (Feb 20, 2004) placed several key recommendations of the N K. Singh task force on power sector investments before the Cabinet, was asked to renew consultations in light of opposition from key stakeholders to its provisions. The power ministry has been under fire from stakeholders including the regulators, state governments and Central utilities for having processed the recommendations of the N K Singh panel at record speed without adequate consultation. The panel had been entrusted with the task of providing suggestions for the government’s Tariff Policy among its terms of re.....