NEW DELHI, June 9: Lok Sabha today passed a Bill seeking establishment of electricity regulatory commissions at the Centre and in states after the government moved two amendments deleting controversial provisions barring supply of free power to farmers after three years and the obligation on states to form such commissions within three months.The House passed the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Bill, 1998, seeking to replace an ordinance by a voice vote after rejecting Opposition-sponsored statutory resolution disapproving the legislation and some amendments.
The two official amendments were moved in response to opposition voiced by ruling BJP's allies AIADMK and Akali Dal who feared that the scheme of free power supply to farmers would be done away with under the Bill.
Replying to a four-hour discussion on the Bill, Power Minister PR Kumaramangalam made it clear that the legislation did not infringe on the states' jurisdiction.
Kumaramangalam said the Bill did not intend to take away States'sright to subsidise power to any section of consumers but it only wanted such a scheme should be transparent and the electricity boards should be reimbursed in cash by the states to the extent of subsidy.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
