Re-allocate central sector power, engineers to PM
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 20
The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, urging him to review the distribution of the 15 per cent unallocated central sector power to northern states.

Power distribution companies (DISCOMS) in Delhi are supplying surplus power to other regions and making huge profits. In spite of this, it is being given power from the unallocated quota of central power, AIPEF said.

The Union Ministry of Power allocates power from the 15 per cent central sector unallocated quota to the states as per their annual requirement.

“Facing an acute shortage of power, northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are compelled to purchase power at exorbitant Unscheduled Intercharge (UI) rates,” said secretary general of the AIPEF Shailendra Dubey, in the letter sent to the PM.

As per the documents attached with the letter, from year 2006-07 to 2011-12 UP had paid UI charges of Rs 5941.05 crore, Haryana Rs 4841.19 crore, Rajasthan Rs 3302.88 crore and Punjab Rs 1949.41 crore to purchase power.

“On the other hand, Delhi DISCOMS have earned Rs 4015.25 crore during these six years by way of selling the allocated power,” argued Dubey.

This proves that Delhi DISCOMS have been allocated more power than they need. We have requested the PM to take corrective measures to reallocate power to the northern region from the central quota.