Thursday, Aug 08, 2002
Thursday, Aug 08, 2002 |
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Kerala
By Our Special Correspondent
The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, told presspersons after the Cabinet meeting that the Ministers agreed that a tariff hike was needed. However, there was no consensus on the quantum and character of the hike. Decisions on introduction of power cut or load-shedding also stood postponed to its next meeting. The Chief Minister said the current storage in the hydel reservoirs of the State was only 15 per cent of the corresponding storage last year, owing to poor rainfall. As the State would have to depend more on costly thermal power, a hike in tariff could not be avoided. However, it could never be fixed as high as to cover the cost. The Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, is understood to have taken a strong stand at the meeting against any hike in industrial tariff. He has been opposing a hike for industries on the ground that it would undermine the Government's efforts to attract investments to the State. He is also demanding reforms to improve the functioning of the State Electricity Board. The Electricity Minister, Kadavoor Sivadasan, and the Electricity Board want the tariff hike to be effected at the earliest. However, Mr. Sivadasan opposed limiting the hike to non-industrial consumers. Last week also, the Cabinet could not decide on the matter because of these differences. Mr. Antony said the State would submit a memorandum to the Centre seeking assistance in view of drought and power crises. Discussions were on regarding reduction of cost of power from the Kayamkulam Thermal Power Station. Besides, the State had sought 500 MW of power from the Central pool. However, many States were having power problems, and availability was limited. Asked about the BSES statement that it was willing to take up distribution of power, he said it would not be practical. He said it would not be possible for the Government to pay off its dues to the Electricity Board. Around Rs. 1,400 crores would be needed this month to pay the employees their salaries and bonus. The Government would have to avail loans for this.
Bonus and festival allowance
The Chief Minister said that one month's salary would be paid as bonus to Government employees as in the previous years, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,500. Employees having basic pay of up to Rs. 3,785 would be eligible for bonus. Others would be paid a festival allowance of Rs. 1,000 each. Service pensioners would be given a festival allowance of Rs. 275. Family pensioners will get Rs. 175. He said the Cabinet had decided to give a new lease of life for the proposed Kannur Power Project. The time limit for the financial closure of the proposal would be extended. The promoters would be allowed to have El Paso or other companies as co-promoters in place of Enron, subject to guidelines of the Central Government regarding equity participation. The plant, it has been stipulated, should be based on liquified natural gas. Other terms and conditions would be decided through negotiations. The Cabinet decided to introduce grading for the SSLC examinations from 2004-2005. The practice of granting moderation in marks would be discontinued, but grace marks would remain. It also decided to grant a rebate for handloom products of Hantex and Handveev for 15 days during the Onam season. A sum of Rs. 25 lakhs would be sanctioned to the State Horticulture Development Corporation for giving a ten per cent subsidy on vegetables.
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