Electricity Bill introduced in LS

New Delhi: A Bill to amend the Electricity Actto allow non-discriminatory open access to distribution networks of power suppliers was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday amid protests by the Opposition, which claimed that it seeks to take away certain rights of state governments.

Power Minister R K Singh introduced the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 and urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a parliamentary standing committee for wider consultations to address concerns raised by the Opposition.

Opposing the introduction of the Bill, RSP member N K Premachandran, Congress members Manish Tewari and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, CPM's M A Arif, Trinamool member Saugata Roy and DMK leader T R Baalu said the draft legislation was against the federal structure of the Constitution.

Premachandran said electricity was on the concurrent list and it was the "bounden duty" of the Centre to have effective consultations with state governments before introducing the Bill.

Tewari said the Bill sought to allow multiple private companies to provide electricity in the same area, a provision that could lead to "privatisation of profits and nationalisation of losses". He contended that the legislation also sought to reduce the role of the Centre in distribution of electricity.

Roy and Arif said the bill was contrary to the assurances given by the Modi government to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which had laid a year-long siege to the national capital demanding roll back of agricultural reforms and shelving of proposed amendments to the Electricity Act.

Baalu said the Tamil Nadu government was giving free electricity to farmers for the past several years and the proposed amendments could affect poor farmers who receive free power.

The Power Minister claimed the Opposition members were indulging in "false propaganda" against the Bill. "The farmers will continue to get free power.There will be no roll back of subsidy," Minister Singh said amid calls for wider consultations on the measure. "We have consulted the states and other stakeholders. This bill is pro-people and pro-farmers," Singh said as he introduced the Bill.

Opposition members demanded a division on the motion moved by the minister to introduce the Bill, which was rejected by the Speaker. "You can seek division only from your respective seats and not from the Well," the Speaker said.

The Opposition resorted to sloganeering for a while and then staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha.

The Bill is aimed at allowing privatisation of electricity on the lines of communication. If the Bill is passed in both the Houses, customers will have the option to choose the supplier of electricity just like one can choose for telephone, mobile and internet services.

The Bill seeks to amend section 42 of the Electricity Act to facilitate non-discriminatory open access to the distribution network of a distribution licensee.