JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Legislative Assemblytoday passed the bill on Power sector reforms-99 by voice-voteamid strong protest by the opposition. Defending the first ever power-reform measures of thebill, Power Minister Dr Bhan said it would provide for theconstitution of an Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Besides the ERC, the bill would enable the government torestructure power sector by rationalisation of the generation,transmission, distribution of electricity in the state.
Earlier when the house rejected opposition members'demand to send the bill to a `select committee' and for`public opinion', the BJP members staged a walkout saying thatthe bill was anti-farmer.
In his reply, power minister announced the tariff onpower to farmers would not be hiked and subsidy concession tothem would continue despite formation of the state electricityregulatory commission.
The state government would put its all resources togenerate atleast 4500 mw of power in next 4 years, and about7,910 mw by the end of 10th financial year, the ministerassured the house. PTI report.