Haryana Passes Electricity Reform Bill

The Haryana assembly yesterday passed the Haryana State Electricity Reform Bill to pave way for constitution of the proposed electricity regulatory commission, amidst walk-out by the opposition Congress and Samajwadi Janata Party members.

The bill, aimed at replacing the Haryana State Electricity Board (HSEB), seeks to restructure the power sector by rationalising generation, transmission and distribution, and opening avenues for private participation. Chief Minister Bansi Lal, however, made it clear that the government does not intend to completely privatise the power sector. Lal, who introduced the bill, was confident that the reforms drive would make Haryana a power-surplus state within two years. The Chief Minister holds the power portfolio.

Lal said three separate corporations will be set up to reorganise generation, transmission and distribution of power in the state. The three wings will be under the state government, and monitored by the proposed regulatory commission.

The electricity bill was passed without any debate as both the SJP and the Congress members decided to boycott it. The Chief minister criticised the opposition for boycotting the house at a time when a historic bill was being passed, and blamed the previous governments for doing too little in improving power supply.

He assured the house that his Haryana Vikas Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government would take firm steps to reduce power theft.

Soon after the house assembled yesterday, the Congress members were on their feet to disrupt the Question Hour proceedings. The speaker, after issuing several warnings, suspended three Congress members. They had to be forcibly carried out by the marshals, after which the rest of the Congress members staged a walk-out.