CHENNAI: Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy said on Tuesday that the State would allow private power producers to set up units if they sell power at a competitive price. The tender process would be followed and whoever quoted a reasonable price could install units.

Surplus power

Replying to a supplementary question from E.S.S. Raman (Congress), Mr. Veerasamy said as against its requirement of 8,500 MW, the State was producing 10,011 MW. It was selling the excess power to other States.

Private producers would add anything between 10,000 to 15,000 MW over the next few years.

Taking into consideration Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remark that the country would be deficient to the tune of 65,000 MW at the end of the 11th Plan, the State had decided to permit private players to set up units if they were competitive.

"Simplify procedure"

V. Mullaivendhan (DMK) suggested simplification of procedures to take over land for setting up Electricity Board (EB) offices and substations.

P.K. Sekar Babu (AIADMK) pointed out that when the EB wanted land, organisations such as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board demanded twice the guideline value, saying the EB was a commercial body. The EB routinely wrote back saying it would pay only the guideline value. Hence, work was held up.

Mr. Veerasamy said the EB paid only guideline value. If there was any instance of delay, the member could bring it to his notice.

Feeder installed

C. Govindasamy (CPI-M) pointed out that power generated by windmills was not being taken by the EB.

Mr. Veerasamy said that this was true till recently and the reason was that there was no feeder in a particular location in Coimbatore. Now that the feeder had been installed, there would be no problem.

Low hanging power lines

T. Velmurugan (PMK) said many people dwelling in thatched houses lived in fear of fire because of low hanging power lines passing over their homes. When EB authorities were approached, they were asked to pay anything between Rs.20,000 and Rs.30,000 to reinstall the lines.

Farmers' markets

Replying to a question from T.Ramachandiran (Ind), Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugham said all 103 farmers' markets were functional. On August 21, 6,054 farmers sold 870 tonnes of produce worth Rs. 71 lakh in these markets.

Markets for fishermen demanded

Vishnu Prasad (Congress) wanted the government to consider setting up markets for fishermen on the lines of farmers markets to ensure they got good price for their catch.

Fisheries Minister K.P.P. Sami said he would discuss the suggestion with the Chief Minister and take a decision.

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