Addressing a conference of States Energy Secretaries in Shimla, the Prime Minister Shri Man Mohan  Singh stressed unbundling of SEB’s which is deplorable.  His desire to discontinue free power to needy agriculturist is suicidal putting food security at stack.  This is consequent to the ‘hide and seek’ play carried out by the power ministry inspite of four rounds of discussion with NCCOEEE even after our discussion with the Prime Minister on 7th September, 04 and submission of a detailed memorandum in this regard.

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.