The board believes that no further increase in tariff will be tolerated by consumers especially if it mean cross subsidising a section of the society to protect farmers, said a senior official. The general scenario of the power sector in the state needs greater attention and the assembly will devote considerable time on basic issues, he added.

The state department of energy will also highlight hurdles faced by private investors in the backdrop of the jinxed 1082mw power project planned by the Ispat group as a JV with twoMNCs. The project was to achieve financial closure by the end ofthis month but has made little progress thanks to a legal petition filed recently. Though there is no stay against the project, investors would not risk their money in a project whose fate depends on the court's verdict.

The official said that the 410 mw Reliance power project, which has been hanging in balance, may also be discussed. T&D losses and power thefts will also be examined in Nagpur. MSEB has already detected some specific cases and only needs to chalk out a further course of action. It is also considering severe action against employees responsible for theft of electricity.