— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

POWER ISSUES: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal greeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Power Issues in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI: Giving a major thrust to initiatives in the power sector, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced setting up of a dedicated, professionally managed National Power Project Management Board, a Standing Committee to look into all issues relating to power sector and a Sub-Committee headed by the Finance Minister to look at financing issues.

Making his concluding remarks at the Conference of Chief Ministers on power here, Dr. Singh said the proposed National Power Project Management Board would keep track of all projects which are to be completed during the 11th Plan and will assist State and Central utilities in ensuring that project implementation milestones are met for every single power project. "This is the only way we can achieve the ambitious targets we have set for ourselves," he added.

The Prime Minister said the conference had resolved to set up a Standing Group of Power Ministers under the chairmanship of the Union Power Minister.

Tackling challenges

"This group could look at all issues affecting the power sector, including those arising out of this conference and the resolutions that are adopted today. I have great hopes from this Standing Group. It is up to this group of Power Ministers to firmly tackle the challenges at hand, rise above local considerations and prepare a long term roadmap for sustainable power development in our country," he said.

Referring to investment in the power sector, Dr. Singh said investment needs of the power sector are gigantic. "I therefore propose to constitute a Sub-Committee of this Standing Group to look at financing issues - particularly for upgrading transmission and distribution networks. This Sub-Committee could be chaired by the Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram and would include the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia. I expect this Sub-Committee to finish its work in three months," he stated.

Referring to the hydropower potential in the country and the concern shown by the Chief Ministers on the issue, the Prime Minister asked the Union Power Minister to set up a Task Force on hydropower to lend special focus to this important area. This Task Force should also look into the issues of rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected persons.

At the same time, he urged all Chief Ministers to launch a campaign against theft in their States. The Electricity Act provides for constitution of special courts for speedy disposal of such cases. These courts should be set up and made operational soon.

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