(a) whether power companies may getbenefits of External
CommercialBorrowings (ECBs) refinance window;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the views of the States andinternational banks in this regard; and
(d) the steps taken by the Governmentin this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL )
(a) to (d) : As informed by the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India
vide circular dated April 20, 2012 has allowed Indian companies in the power
sector to utilize 40 per cent of the fresh External Commercial Borrowing (ECB)
raised towards refinancing of the Rupee loans availed by them from the
domestic banking system under the approval route, subject to the condition
that at least 60% of the fresh ECB proposed to be raised should be utilized for
fresh capital expenditure for infrastructure project(s).