The power scenario, which was grim eight years ago has not lightened up in Madhya Pradesh due to sustained efforts undertaken by the government headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan. During the last and present tenure of Chouhan untiring efforts have been made for improvement in power generation, transmission and distribution. Many new power plants have been opened.
It is indeed a great achievement that power generation capacity in the state, which was 2990 MW in 2003 has been doubled up to 6140 MW now. According to Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla, a plan has been chalked out to increase the power generation capacity in Madhya Pradesh by 7325 MW in the next 5 years. During the 11th Five-Year Plan, three units of 1700 MW capacity are proposed to be set up in the state. These include 1200-MW Singaji Thermal Power Plant and two extension units of 500 MW of Satpura Thermal Power Plant.
Madhya Pradesh having made its utmost efforts, it is now the turn of the Union government to provide fiscal assistance for improvement and extension in the power sector of the state. A single-window system should also be set up for extending loans to states for capital works in the power sector and establishment of resource mobilization unit under Ministry of Power.
The Union government should also strengthen power distribution system, renovate four old units of 630-MW, help in separation of feeder lines, strengthening of power distribution system in the rural areas and capital investment in the power sector. It is high time that loans are provided at cheaper rates to the power distribution companies of Madhya Pradesh and help is extended to it in seeking loans from the World Bank.
Shukla's announcement that special attention is being given to increasing power generation capacity with a view to removing the gap between demand and supply is also welcome. There is a plan to increase total power generation capacity up to 7325 MW by the year 2013-14. Apart from increasing power generation capacity, works of strengthening power distribution have also been undertaken in the state.
It is heartening that due to these efforts, power supply up to 7019 MW has been ensured in the peak demand period in Madhya Pradesh while during 2002-03 it was only 4652 MW. The transmission loss in Madhya Pradesh has also come down from 8.10 to 4.09 percent.
It is also necessary that a resource mobilisation centre should be established at the Central level which can advise states on funds mobilisation as per their capital requirements. No doubt, this single-window system at the Centre will help states secure loans for the power projects on cheaper rates.
The Centre should realize that large funds are required for improving power supply and decreasing transmission losses in the rural areas. Difficulties are being experienced in ensuring required power supply in the rural areas due to single feeder for both domestic light and power pumps. Like the urban areas, schemes are afoot for establishment of separate feeders in the rural areas as well. All the three power distribution companies in the state will require about Rs 5000 crore for undertaking this work during the next three year and urged for loans to these companies at lower rates.
AA Farhan
| 
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
