States told to pay attention to power

Sanjay Jog / Mumbai June 28, 2011, 0:35 IST

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia asked states to pay more attention on expediting reforms in power distribution, efficient use of water and effective management of urbanisation.

On the other hand, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan made a strong pitch for coordination and convergence of various schemes by the central government. The states argued the central government should not apply “one cap fits all” principle but state-specific schemes need to be implemented. Ahluwalia along with chief ministers and finance ministers of these states from the western region were meeting for the formulation of the 12th Five-Year Plan.

Ahluwalia painted a bleak picture of the power sector, especially distribution. He said states needed to make all-out efforts to expedite reforms in power distribution and do more to provide open access. He said the mounting losses of state utilities, which are of the order of Rs 65,000 crore in 2010-11, were a matter of concern.