Moily promises 1,500 MW more power to K'taka

Asks State to arrange for transmission

Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily on Sunday said the Centre is ready to provide additional 1,500 mega watt (MW) of power if the State government ensures availability of transmission lines connecting the Central grid with the State.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a backward classes awareness conference, he said the Centre can provide additional power in a week’s time to the State if the lines are made available.

“The State should provide the transmission lines. The Centre cannot interfere in this regard,” he added.

Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje had recently said the State was facing power supply shortage due to drought. The State was running short of 1,000 MW during peak hour. She had urged the Centre to provide additional power from the Central grid to tide over the crisis in the State.

Moily further said the State would not have faced this situation if it had anticipated the problem and taken precautionary steps.

“The State Energy Minister (Shobha) has apprised me about the situation in the State. We are exploring all possibilities to help the State,” he stated.

Meeting soon

He further said he will soon convene a meeting of electricity regulatory commission chairmen of all States in New Delhi to discuss measures to be taken to strengthen the distribution system and cutting the high transmission and distribution (T&D) losses.

The Centre needs to take many steps to strengthen the T&D system in view of high demand for power.

“If the T&D system in states is not strengthened, it cannot absorb whatever power we supply through the national grid,” he said.

He said most power utilities of States are financially not viable. They are not in a position to purchase power even if it is available. Hence, they depend upon the Centre for power.
The Minister also said the aggregate transmission and distribution losses in states range between 12.5 per cent and 40 per cent.

“Ultimately, it should not exceed 7.5 per cent. Why should it be so high?...Average transmission and distribution  losses of the nation is 27 per cent. We need to curtail that,” he stated, adding that he will address the problems in a phased manner.

Caste-free society

Earlier, speaking at the backward classes awareness function, he said democratic set up will be successful only when society becomes free of caste. Caste-based conventions should always contribute for the development of society and should not divide society, he added.

Reservation and other facilities are made available in the Constitution only for the uplift of the downtrodden. The aim of the Constitution is to create a society bereft of caste barriers, the Minister said.