Nitish govt sets target of 5,000 Mw by year-end

BJP creates ruckus over tariff hike

The Bihar government on Tuesday reiterated its plans to make available 5000 MW of power by the end of this year required by the state.

Energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav reiterated state government's promise in this regard while replying to a question of BJP member Rajnish Kumar in the state Legislative Council.  Providing details, the minister said that work was in progress on three units of 660 MW each at Nabinagar.

Land acquisition process is in progress for setting up two units of 660 MW each at Chausa in Buxar district to Satluz Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), a joint venture of the Centre and the Himachal Pradesh government, he said.

Likewise rejuvenation of Barauni thermal power was in progress, he added. From two units of KBUNL Kanti in Muzaffarpur, presently 220 MWs electricity is being produced, he added.

At present, the supply of electricity in the state is 2700-2800 MW, which is targeted to be raised to 5000 MW by end of the year as some projects are in pipeline, the minister added.

Meanwhile, the opposing BJP created ruckus in the Assembly over 2.5 percent hike in electricity charges and sought roll back.

"When prices of coal and diesel are going down, the Bihar government has decided to raise power tariff," Leader of Opposition Nand Kishore Yadav. Yadav rubbished the argument that the hike was needed to narrow the gap of loss to power companies and said their loss was basically due to "inefficiency" to bring down transmission and distribution losses to the tune of 44 per cent. The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Monday approved an increase by 10-15 paise per unit.

With opposition leader vociferously protesting power hike during zero hour, BJP members trooped into well and shouted anti-government slogans. Vijay Chaudhary, Leader of JD (U) in the Assembly, reiterated Kumar's assertion that state government has no role in the hike.

Yadav, however, refused to buy the argument and said, "How come a CM pleads himself helpless?"