Power Ministers’ Conference resolve to expedite implementation of APDRP and RGGVY

SEVERAL STEPS SUGGESTED FOR ACHIEVING THE CAPACITY ADDITION TARGETS 
 
Following are the highlights of the Power Ministers’ Conference convened by Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Minister for Power in New Delhi today. Sh. Shinde emphasized the following points in his inaugural address. 

• Target of 5653 MW capacity addition has been set in the first 100 days of this Government, out of which 2319 MW has already been achieved. 

• Target of 14,507 MW has been fixed for the year 2009-10 and of 78,700 MW for the XI Five Year Plan, out of which 15036 MW has already been commissioned. 

• A Special Advisory Group (SAG) on generation under Chairmanship of Minister of Power consisting of Experts, retired Secretaries to the Government of India, one nominee each from FICCI, CII and BHEL will be set up to expedite completion of the ongoing capacity addition projects on war footing. 

• An initiative has been taken by the Ministry of Power to create job opportunities for youth at project sites. So far, 38 ITIs have been adopted in 20 States/UTs. Another 13 ITIs are in the process of being taken over in 10 States. 

• CPSUs will be providing 100 days training to develop Master Trainers for effective dissemination of knowledge and skills. 

• Online short circuit testing facility for Transformers upto 315 MVA will be set up through a joint venture company comprising of four CPSUs, namely, NTPC, NHPC, PGCIL and DVC. 

• States assured of the Centre’s cooperation in resolving issues pertaining to generation, transmission, distribution and rural electrification. 

• Plan to hold the next Conference of State Power Ministers in December this year to take stock of the progress achieved. 

• Regular meetings of Standing Committee of Power Ministers will be held henceforth. 

2. Power Ministers of States raised the following issues 

• Make additional power available out of unallocated quota and UMPPs. 

• Make available coal linkages 

• Timely environment and forest clearances for Power Projects. 

3. For achieving the Capacity Addition targets, it was resolved to: 

i. Place pending orders for BOPs for 11th Plan Projects by 31st July, 2009. 

ii. Signing of Fuel Supply Agreement with Coal companies by 30th June, 2009. 

iii. Initiation of Import of Coal by 31st July, 2009 by States who have not taken action so far. 

iv. Formation of JVs for coal block development by 31st August, 2009. 

v. Withdrawal of condition for 5% charge on profit of Generation Companies for local area development. 

vi. Initiation of Case 1 bidding by States anticipating shortages at the end of 11th Plan. 

vii. Designation of Nodal agency for Integrated Planning – by 31st July, 2009. State Transco could be designated as the Nodal Agency. 

4. To expedite the implementation of RGGVY, it was resolved to: 

i. Operationalize District Level Committees and to hold their monthly meetings to resolve local issues; 

ii. Completion of balance awards by July ’09; 

iii. Finalize and release BPL lists by July ’09 for all districts; 

iv. Allotment of substation land for projects by Aug. ’09; 

v. Approve revised estimates by States within 1 month of submission by implementing agencies; 

vi. Energize completed villages within 15 days of completion of works; 

vii. Notify RE Plans by Aug ’09; 

5. To expedite the implementation of APDRP it was resolved to: 

i. Appoint IT Consultants by 31.07.09; 

ii. Sign Quadripartite Agreement by 15.07.09; 

iii. Obtain the approval for entire eligible towns in the state under Part-A by Aug-09; 

iv. Establish base line for AT&C loss of the project area through ring fencing by October-09; 

v. Appoint IT Implementing Agencies within 3 months of project approval;