RK Singh approves major relief measures for power sector

New Delhi [India], Mar 28 : Amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus, Union Power Minister RK Singh said that his ministry is committed to provide 24x7 supply of electricity to all consumers.

"Despite the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic, the whole workforce of the power sector - generation, transmission, distribution and system operations - is working round the clock to keep all homes and establishments lighted," read a statement from the Ministry of Power.

Around 70 per cent of power generation is from coal-based power plants. In order to maintain the continuity of supply of coal by domestic coal compes and transportation by Railways, the ministry is in touch with the Ministries of Railways and Coal, the statement added.It stated that consumers are unable to pay their dues to the distribution compes (Discoms) due to the lockdown. This has affected the liquidity position of the Discoms thereby impairing their ability to pay to the generating and transmission compes. In this context, RK Singh has approved significant relief measures for the power sector.

Among these are CPSU generation/transmission compes will continue supply/ transmission of electricity even to Discoms which have large outstanding dues to the generation/transmission compes. During the present emergency, there will be no curtailment of supply to any DISCOM, the statement added.Till May 31, the payment security mechsm to be maintained by the distribution compes with the generating compes for dispatch of power shall be reduced by 50 per cent.Moreover, directions have been issued to the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission to provide a moratorium of three months to Discoms to make payments to generating compes and transmission licensees and not to levy penal rates of late payment surcharge. State governments are being requested to issue similar directions to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.

( With inputs from ANI )