Electricity Bill introduced in LS, referred to Std Committee

A bill, which aims to give the right to electricity consumers to choose their suppliers, was introduced in Lok Sabha today.
The Electricity (Amendment) Bill was, however, sent to a Standing Committee after Congress members pressed for it.
Introduced by Power Minister Piyush Goyal, the bill seeks to usher in major reforms in the sector including promoting competition, efficiency in operations and improvement in quality of supply of electricity in the country resulting in capacity addition and ultimate benefit to the consumers.
He said the government will allow competition at the last mile or to the end-consumer without raising tariff or compromising on better customer service.

Goyal had recently said, "What we are looking at is allowing competition at last mile delivery so that consumers have a choice of supplier of electricity... It will also help states serve the people better."
Wherever there are existing power purchase agreements, the interests of stakeholders will be protected, which will be done in consultation with the power regulator, he had said.