India’s power sector deficit is in double digits while developed countries have managed to keep it in single digits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his opposition to the “rewari for votes” culture, marking the rising dues of power distribution companies (discoms) as an imminent crisis.
Launching the Rs 3 lakh crore package for distribution sector reforms and renewable energy projects of NTPC, he said the discoms owe over Rs 1 lakh crore to the generating companies as they have not received the subsidy. At the same time, electricity bills of government departments and local bodies are also not being paid.
He said that India’s power sector deficit is in double digits while developed countries have managed to keep it in single digits. Launching a package for distribution sector reforms and renewable energy projects of National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd, he said, “This means we are wasting a lot of electricity and due to this we have to generate more than we need. He also spoke a lot against the culture of distributing Revdi (subsidy culture) in politics.
He was speaking out against it for the second time this month. Earlier on July 16, he had spoken against it while inaugurating the Bundelkhand Expressway. The Supreme Court on Tuesday raised the alarm after a bench headed by the Chief Justice on the issue suggested that the Finance Commission consider regulating the flow of funds to states that are giving subsidies. The CJI said, “Over time, serious distortions have come in our politics. In politics, people should have the courage to tell the truth.
But in some states we see a tendency to push the issues under the carpet. It may seem politically beneficial immediately. But not addressing these challenges of today is a burden on our children and future generations. PM Modi said, “Generation companies are producing electricity but they are not getting paid. Just like a house will starve without cooking fuel even if it has spices. No vehicle is without fuel. If there is no electricity, everything will come to a standstill.
If the power sector becomes weak in one state, it affects the whole country. PM Modi said that this is not an issue of politics but an issue related to national policy and nation-building. Electricity is essential for the development of the country. He said that many states owe more than one lakh crore rupees to these power companies.
Apart from this, more than Rs 60,000 crore is still pending on these power distribution companies by various government departments and local bodies. The Prime Minister said that the state governments have not yet fulfilled their subsidy commitment of Rs 75,000 crore to power companies. This subsidy amount is to be given in lieu of subsidized electricity given to the consumers by the states. PLC/GT
