GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.280 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2013 NATIONAL ELECTRICITY FUND †*280. SHRI JAGADANAND SINGH: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) the details of the National Electricity Fund (Interest Subsidy Scheme) launched by the Government to improve the infrastructure in the power distribution sector; (b) whether the pre-conditions for eligibility under the same are linked to the reform measures taken by the States and the amount of interest subsidy is linked to the progress achieved in reforms linked parameters; (c) if so, the details thereof along with the compliance of the same by various States in this regard, State-wise; (d) whether the State of Bihar has also signed any agreement in this regard and is complying with the same; and (e) if so, the details thereof? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA ) (a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******* STATEMENT STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 280 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 29.08.2013 REGARDING NATIONAL ELECTRICITY FUND. ********* (a) : National Electricity Fund (NEF), an interest subsidy scheme has been set up to provide interest subsidy on loans raised by distribution companies to improve the distribution network. Under the Scheme, loan amounting to Rs.25,000 cr. sanctioned by lenders during the financial year 2012-13 & 2013-14 for capital projects in distribution sector duly approved by the Steering Committee shall be eligible to take the benefits of interest subsidy for a tenure of 13 years based on annual evaluations as per the guidelines. NEF does not cover the works undertaken under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) and Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme(R-APDRP) schemes. (b) & (c) : Yes, Madam. The pre-conditions for eligibility under NEF are linked to reform measures taken by the States and the amount of interest subsidy is linked to the progress achieved in reforms linked parameters. The pre-condition for eligibility are, Operationalization of State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Formulation of business plan for turnaround of utilities, Reorganization of State Electricity Boards (SEBs), Release of subsidy by State Government to DISCOMs, Submission of audited annual accounts and Timely filing of tariff petition. Further, the eligible DISCOMs shall be scored against - Reduction in AT&C losses; Reduction in revenue gap (Average Cost of Supply (ACS)-Average revenue realized on subsidy received basis); Return on equity and Multi-year tariff (MYT). The State Discoms operating in the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Punjab have so far availed benefit of the NEF. (d) & (e) : No, Madam. No proposal has been received from the State of Bihar. ********** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2992 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2013 VISIT TO PAKISTAN 2992. SHRI PONNAM PRABHAKAR: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether any delegation of the Ministry of Power had visited Pakistan recently; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the details of the issues discussed during the said visit along with the outcome thereof? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA ) (a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. A delegation of four (4) officers led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power visited Pakistan during 09.06.2013 to 12.06.2103. (c) : The possibility of transmission link between India and Pakistan was discussed during the said visit. ********** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3000 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2013 IMPACT OF HYDEL POWER PROJECTS 3000. SHRI ADHI SANKAR: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether mushrooming hydel power projects on the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda were causing damage to the hills besides increasing possibility of flash floods that could lead to huge loss of lives; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any specific measures are planned to cope with flood risks as mountains provide large amounts of water from melting snow and glaciers; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the necessary steps taken in this regard? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA ) (a) & (b) : No, Madam. There is no evidence that hydro power projects on the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda have caused damage to the hills / increased possibility of flash floods. (c) & (d) : Hydro-electric projects are planned after hydrological analysis which is based on the past observed / estimated run-off including water from melting snow and glaciers. The hydro-electric projects are accordingly so designed so as to be able to pass Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) which, inter-alia, includes water from melting snow and glaciers. ******** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3001 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2013 KUNDAH POWER PROJECT 3001. SHRI O.S. MANIAN: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether necessary clearances for Kundah Power Project of Tamil Nadu have been accorded; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons for delay in this regard and the time by which these clearances are likely to be accorded? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA ) (a) to (c) : A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 500 MW Kundah Pumped Storage Scheme in Tamil Nadu was submitted to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for clearance in October, 2006. The scheme is located in Cauvery basin and requires either the clearance from Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal or the concurrence of the party States for accord of inter-State clearance. The DPR of the project has been returned to State Government of Tamil Nadu by CEA on 26.12.2007 to submit with requisite clearances. ********* GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3009 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2013 IMPORT OF COAL 3009. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) the impact of high-grade coal imports on prices of electricity in cases where electricity is generated from the imported coal; (b) whether the industry-wide efforts to boost power generation especially among firms that rely on lower-quality imports to maintain the financial viability of their projects will be stalled if the rise in electricity price is not agreed by the Ministry; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government proposes to provide subsidies to lessen the financial burden on coal importing power generators as well as hike the power tariff to make generation of electricity from imported coal more viable; and (e) if so, the details thereof? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA ) (a) : Price of imported coal depends upon various factors such as inter-alia, heat value, moisture content, ash content, source of origin, ocean freight, etc. and varies from week to week. The price of domestic coal also varies from mine to mine depending upon Grade/ GCV Value of coal. Further, landed cost of imported coal at power plants depends upon its distance from the coast. As ocean freight and inland transportation cost are a major component that contribute towards the landed cost of imported coal, therefore, import of high grade coal results in saving of transportation cost. (b) & (c) : Higher cost of imported coal is to be considered for pass through as per modalities suggested by CERC. Ministry of Coal has issued suitable orders supplementing the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP). Ministry of Power have issued appropriate advisory to CERC/SERCs to consider the request of individual power producers to decide for pass through of higher cost of imported coal on a case to case basis. Consequential changes in price of electricity would be the domain of appropriate regulatory commission. (d) : There is no such proposal under the consideration of Central Government. (e) : Does not arise in view of (d) above. ********** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3013 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2013 PROVISIONS IN ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003 †3013. SHRIMATI RAJKUMARI RATNA SINGH: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether any complaints have been received by the Union Government regarding the private power distribution companies reporting more consumption of power than the actual consumption; (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; (c) whether any provisions have been made in the Electricity Act, 2003 for filing criminal cases against those responsible for over charging as well as for installation of faulty meters; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the corrective measures being taken by the Union Government in this regard? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA ) (a) & (b): As per available records, no such complaint has been received by the Union Government regarding the private power distribution companies reporting more consumption of power than the actual consumption. (c) & (d): The Electricity Act, 2003 does not have any provision for filing criminal case against those responsible for over charging as well as for installation of faulty meters. However, as per the Electricity Act, 2003, a consumer can approach Consumer Redressal Grievances Forum and Ombudsman created under section 42(5) & (6) of the Electricity Act, 2003 for any complaints regarding over charging as well as for installation of faulty meters.