All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) welcomes the bold decision of the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Bihar who have opposed the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and demanded that Electricity Act be held in abeyance and discussed after the pandemic subsides, said V K Gupta Spokesperson AIPEF.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has written to Prime Minister that it has been the consistent policy of Government that our farmers should receive free power and it should be left with the State Government to decide the mode of payment of such a subsidy.
There would be serious difficulties in the proposal of a direct benefit transfer policy that has many difficulties.
The setting up of electricity contract enforcing authority would dilute the authority of the regulatory commission. The proposed amendments to the Electricity Act be held in abeyance until these are thoroughly discussed with the state governments after the pandemic subsides.”
The Telangana government has decided to oppose the Bill 2020 and is writing to the Ministry concerned expressing its objections. Chief Minister has termed the proposals of Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 as draconian has expressed concern that the amendments if passed in the Parliament will vest the powers of distribution and subsidies in the hands of the Central government. We will oppose the Bill in the Parliament and will stop it.
Bihar Government has also opposed a number of provisions of Bill 2020 especially regarding payment of subsidy and diluting the power of state government over the various issues. The state is not in favour of giving its power to centre on vital issues.
Kerala government is also thinking on the same lines and will make a decision shortly.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
