Friday, May 14, 2004
Friday, May 14, 2004 |
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Karnataka
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Bangalore
By Divya Sreedharan
BANGALORE, MAY 13. Five years ago, the Congress Government oversaw the introduction of reforms in the power sector in the State. This was to make the sector more efficient, cut subsidy and privatise power distribution. But today, subsidies continue to be high (over Rs. 2,300 crores in 2004) and privatisation has not happened, though companies such as Reliance are reportedly interested in taking over the power supply in the city. So, have the reforms failed? Many in the power sector believe that reforms are necessary. "They are crucial to improving the State's financial health," a senior Government official said. Did he think that the ouster of the Congress would impede the progress of power reforms in the State? "Reforms will, and must, happen at their own pace, independent of the Government in power." Reforms had to be looked at rationally "because there is no emotion involved in statecraft." He said doling out freebies to farmers would not lead to a sustainable form of governance. "On many occasions, the State has had a party in power that was opposed to the party in power at the Centre. Though it looks as if that will happen again this year, I hope rationality will prevail on the question of reforms," he added. The Managing Director of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd., Bharat Lal Meena, agreed with the views of the official. "Reforms are the need of the hour. If we are to be made more efficient in our functioning, we need to reform. Besides, that is the policy that we have adopted. It cannot be changed now," he added. A former member of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission was, however, more pessimistic. "The parties coming to power in these elections have been promising free power to farmers. There is even talk of rollback of the power reforms," he observed.
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