Godbole panel report this weekend

MUMBAI, AUG. 14. The Godbole committee, set up to renegotiate the controversial power purchase agreement signed by the MSEB with Enron-promoted Dabhol Power Company (DPC), will wind up and submit its report over this weekend to the State Government, sans the multinational's participation.

``We will hold a final internal meeting spread over two days on August 17 and 18 to finalise the report, which could be submitted on the second day itself,'' the committee chairman, Mr. Madhav Godbole told PTI here today.

The DPC would not be a part of this final meeting as they have given enough indications regarding an early exit from the three billion power project, he said.

``There is no need for a formal communication from the DPC, its representatives have made adequate statements regarding their exit from the project,'' the former Union Home Secretary said.

Meanwhile, according to State Government sources, in its final report, the panel has reiterated earlier recommendation of delinking the 800 million liquefied natural gas terminal from the project, restructuring of the DPC's loan repayment clause and removal of the dollar-rupee denomination.

``The committee has said that the 20 year contracts with Adgas and Oman Lng should also be renegotiated and reduced to an acceptable level in order to ensure an affordable tariff,'' sources added.

On the other hand, the Enron India Managing Director, Mr. K Wade Cline, has made his company's position clear by stating that the panel's recommendations were `unrealistic' and `unacceptable' to the multinational company.

- PTI

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