(a) whether electricity production fell from 10% in April-August, 1999
to 0.6% in the same period in 2000;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the rate of industrial production came down to 4.8% from
7.3% between April-August, 1999 and April-August, 2000 due to fall in
electricity production; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) & (b): No, Sir. The growth of electricity production (generation)
during the period April-August, 1999 and April-August 2000 was 5.8%
and 3.6%, respectively.
(c) & (d): As per quick estimates from CSO, the industrial production
growth during the period April-August 1999 and during April-August
2000 was 6.2% and 5.3% respectively. The electricity generation alone
does not influence the rate of industrial production. There are many
other factors influencing the rate of industrial production like liberalized
imports, economic status of the masses, quality competition of the
product, agriculture produce, labour problems, transportation cost,
availability of raw inputs and demand and supply conditions within the
country and outside the world. In order to improve power availability the
following measure are being taken:-
(i) Expeditious implementation of capacity addition programme.
(ii) Promotion of measure for demand side management.
(iii) Renovation and Modernisation (R&M) of existing old generating
units.
(iv) Disbursement of loans by Power Finance Corporation for improving
operation and maintenance of thermal power stations under
accelerated generation programme.
(v) Promotion of inter-state and inter-regional power transfers.
(vi) Coordinated operation of Hydro, thermal, nuclear and gas turbine
power stations in the regional power system.
(vii) Augmentation of transmission, transformation capacity in the
power system and installation of shunt capacitors to improve the
voltage.
(viii) Reduction of transmission and distribution losses.