Power Ministry plan for Gujarat

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 31. Along with a Rs. 100 crore emergency loan to Gujarat for restoration of supply, the Union Power Ministry has chalked out a plan for reconstructing the power infrastructure in the State. The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has agreed to provide a working capital facility of Rs. 60 crores to Gujarat by deferring part billing payments for February and March against issue of unsecured bonds.

The action plan was chalked out after the Power Minister, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, visited Gujarat and held a series of meetings with the authorities there. After assessing the requirement of the State, he instructed public sector undertakings under his Ministry to rush 100 technical and supervisory persons along with 15 diesel generating sets to restore power supply.

It was also decided that the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) would identify towns on a priority basis for restoration of supply for essential services and the diesel sets would be utilised for the purpose.

The Minister also handed over to the Powergrid Corporation and the NTPC the job of restoring grid sub-stations at Anjar, Nanikhakhar, Nakhatrana and Samakhiyali.

The two corporations would also supply equipment required for sub- stations and get the civil works executed through their contractors without calling for tenders.

The contractors would be required to complete the works free of cost and instal equipment. The cost of the equipment would be borne by the public sector undertakings under the Power Ministry.

It was also decided to adopt the district of Kutch under the Accelerated Power Development Programme and create a world class sub-transmission and distribution system there.

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