The Hindu : Kerala News : Six more months for KSEB restructuring

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Saturday, Jun 10, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Six more months for KSEB restructuring

Special Correspondent

Revamp only after consultations with unions and experts: Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Power Ministry has given six more months to the Kerala Government to restructure the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) as mandated by the Electricity Act of 2003, State Electricity Minister A.K. Balan said here on Friday.

The Act had come into force on June 2003 and its provisions were to be implemented within six months. Kerala received three six-month extensions in period subsequently to do the restructuring and the last of the extensions expired on Friday. The State will get time till January 9, 2007, for the purpose, as per the latest decision of the Union Government.

Mr. Balan had met Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde recently with the request that the LDF Government, which had assumed power only a month ago, be given more time to fulfil the provisions of the Act. He also sought the Union Government's support to the State Government's efforts to retain the State's power sector in the public sector.

Quoting Mr. Balan, an official press release on Friday said that the Government would embark on the power sector restructuring exercise only after consultations with the unions in the KSEB and experts in the subject.

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