(a) whether two-day conference of Chief Secretaries and Power Secretaries of States and
Union Territories was convened by the Ministry in the recent past;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the main points discussed therein; and
(d) the implementation position of the decision taken in the conference?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE )
(a) : Yes, Sir. A Conference of Chief Secretaries & Power Secretaries of States
and Union Territories was convened on 23rd and 24th April, 2007, at New Delhi.
(b) & (c) : The following themes were discussed during the Conference:
(i) Reduction of losses [T&D/AT&C] to 15% by the end of the 11th Plan through a Crash Programme.
(ii) Programme for rapid expansion of generation in the next 5 years.
(iii) Improving functioning of Electricity Markets by ensuring greater competitiveness including through open access.
(iv) Rural Electrification.
(v) Energy Conservation and Demand Side Management.
(d) : There was a general consensus on all the above issues. The States were asked
to estimate and project accurately their requirements with regard to the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojana [RGGVY] and quickly formulate their `State Rural Electrification Plans`
and forward them to the Ministry of Power.
The record of discussions in the conference was communicated to all
States/Union Territories. Thereafter, the themes were taken up for deliberation at the
Conference of Chief Ministers on Power Sector Issues on 28th May, 2007. This Conference
was chaired by the Prime Minister.