The Centre’s move to introduce the Electricity Amendments Bill, 2022, has stoked protests by Opposition parties and trade unions on the grounds that it violated the Constitutional principles of federalisation, which was a step towards privatising the electricity sector and would make power costly. In an interview with The Hindu, Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power addressed concerns on provisions of the Bill, its intent and the reforms it envisages.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and referred to a Standing Committee following stringent protests. Did the Centre anticipate this degree of opposition?
When reforms are introduced, there are always different shades of views. This Bill was drafted following the Budget of 2021 and we have undertaken consultations with all States, industry bodies, regulators. Most States had supported the provisions. In the course of discussions, there were also objections on some aspects by States.
