Putting the ball in the state governments' court, the Centre has said it was up to political parties in the states to decide whether or not to provide free electricity to certain sections of society. | |
| "Political parties keep in mind various aspirations of the people and formulate policies accordingly. Even in the case of free power, they can adopt strategies to help various sections of the society," Union Power Minister P M Sayeed said here today. He also said the final draft of the new power policy was ready and would be sent to the Cabinet for clearance. |
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| Steering clear of making any controversial remark on the sensitive free-power issue, he said states had the freedom to make their own choices. |
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| "The Electricity Act, 2003 also provides state governments to give relief to any section of the society, provided they compensate for it," the minister added. |
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| On the issue of unbundling of state electricity boards too, sayeed remained non-commital saying: "we have already given six month extension to the states and we should not forget that india has a federal democratic structure. If such a need arises, we will see what can be done." |
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| He was addressing a press-conference after inaugurating Bhakra Beas management board's National Hydel Training Centre and unveiling of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's message to the project described by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the "first temple of resurgent India". |
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| Sayeed parried a question about differing statnds taken by Congress various different states on the issue, saying "the decision depends on political leadership of state, psychology of leaders and consequent political gains envisaged." |
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