The Electricity Bill 2003 was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 9 after being tabled in its current forum on April 6, thus ensuring no debate in the country. While all the old ills of this legislation which has been on the anvil for the last 3 years remain, some more new ones have been added ensuring that the electricity sector faces a disaster in the near future.

As the Congress and the BJP have similar views on the legislation, only cosmetic changes can be expected from the Rajya Sabha. Before we look at the underlying "vision" of this piece of legislation and its implications for the country, particularly the rural sector, let us briefly examine some clauses of the Bill which can only have come from minds of persons who look upon all consumers as potential criminals.

ENRON has hit the headlines again, this time the entire world over. In 1995-96 and onwards ENRON had hit Indian media for everything that happened surrounding the Dabhol power plant in Maharashtra, The way the project was granted, the politicians and media people were bribed, the 13 days Vajpayee Govt. gave the counter-guarantee to ensure its profits, shocked every patriotic Indian.

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Orissa paid Rs. 306 crore as fee for Rs.1,300 crore project ! 

The world bank - aided, sponsored, guided and implemented Orissa power sector reforms paid Rs.306 crores as consultancy fee rented for the projects which was divided into two phases: Pre and Post reforms. World Bank suggested a multi-disciplinary team of domestic and foreign consultants be appointed to assist the government in pushing through reforms. As per the agreement, payment to the consultants was to be made out of the 10 million-dollar World Bank loan and a 35 .5 pounds million grant from the U.K.’s department for international developments (DFID).

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When the bill which was in due course enacted as the Electricity Act, 2003 was under consideration of the standing committee of parliament, a number of issues which deserved closer examination had been highlighted. Several of these issues remain unattended. The Act, which is a halfway house, also raises a number of new issues which are likely to pose serious problems in the coming years.

Jyoti Basu
1914-2010
Comrade Jyoti Basu is no more. He breathed his last at Kolkata at 11-47 AM  after a long struggling life years.
ELECTRICITY EMPLOYEES FEDERATION OF INDIA, deeply mourns the demise of legendary leader of Indian Working Class, toiling people, left and democratic movement, Trade Union as well Communist Party of India (Marxist), Former Chief Minister of West Bengal Comrade Jyoti Basu.
Comrade K O Habib, President of the Federation expressed his deep sorrow and called up his inspiring memoirs since he met Comrade Basu first in 1974 at Santhaldih while taking part in the conference of WBSEB Workmen’s Union. Comrade Habib desired that We shall be able to  carry forward his teachings and ideals.
Com Prasanta N Chowdhury, General Secretary of the Federation mourns the demise of Comrade Jyoti Basu, who was a close adviser and teacher of the Electricity Employees all over the country. He was the founder of Powerful West Bengal. As a National Leader Comrade Jyoti Basu played very important role on all eventualities of National crisis.
Com S S Subrammaniam, Treasurer of the Federation, and General Secretay, COTEE sent message of condolence with deep sorrow on behalf of the Electricity Workers of Tamilnadu. He mentioned that we are to solemnly affirm to complete tasks assigned by him.
Comrade Dipak Roy Chowdhury, General Secretary. WBSE Workmen’s Union and Secretary, EEFI paid his respectful homage to Comrade Jyoti Basu and invited electricity workers of West Bengal to keep his ideals high.

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