PSEB to negotiate power rates for Rajpura thermal plant, says H.S.Brar
GAGANDEEP AHUJA
Tuesday, 13 January 2009

PATIALA: Harinder Singh Brar, newly appointed Chairman of Punjab State EWlectricity Board(PSEB) on Tuesday said that the tariff (Rs. 3.38 per unit) of Hyderabad-based Lanco Infratech Ltd the sole bidder for the built operate and own (BOO) 1300-MW thermal plant at Rajpura will be negotiated being on higher side.

While talking to Punjabnewsline.com on Tuesday evening. He said that it was certainly on higher side and a committee of seniors Punjab government officials and PSEB officials will negotiate it with Lanco Infratech Ltd . When asked about that Sterlite power corporation of Vedanta group has given Rs. 2.86 for 1,980-MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Power Plant at Banawali in Mansa district and how much they impress Lanco Infratech to come down, he said that they were optimistic and will try their best and if they fail in the negotiation then matter will be decided by Punjab government.

Brar said that Punjab will be power surplus state with the setting up new thermal plants in the state. He said that he will give extra interest for speedy completion of these plants.

When asked about the unbundling of Punjab state electricity board he said that it was state subject and will be decided by Punjab government.

Asked to comment on power situation in Punjab he said that Board had received 1 lakh 30 thousand lakh units of power under banking arrangement from various states and PSEB was only meeting its obligations under banking arrangements. He however refuse to purchase power from others state s before paddy season.

Brar thanked Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and Punjab for reposing faith in him to head Punjab State Electricity Board.
.Brar hoped that all officers/officials of PSEB shall work with complete devotion and provide fair service to the mankind.