Companies Can Supply Power 24X7 Without Increasing Tariff: Piyush Goyal

There is enough scope for power companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply without increasing tariff but the consumers, too, should do their bit by being ready to pay for 24X7 power supply and help in checking electricity theft, Minister for Power and Coal Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday (June 25).

Goyal said every entity involved in the electricity chain — generators, transmission, distribution utilities as well as coal companies — needs to improve its operations instead of demanding revision of tariff.

"I don't think it's only about tariff. I must tell you Gujarat, which has turned from a Rs 2,500 crore loss-making utility into a Rs 500 crore profit-making entity under (Narendra) Modi over the last 10-12 years and giving 24X7 power to everybody, has had the lowest increase in tariffs compared to any other state in the country," the minister said.

The Ministry of Power recently told the Prime Minister's Office that 27 units out of every 100 units are lost in transit due to inefficiency and theft, euphemistically described as 'aggregate technical and commercial losses.'

Goyal, however, said the issues cannot be resolved by the Centre alone. The state governments must also do their duty by keeping a check on expenditure and revenue, metering every household and involving people in controlling power theft.

“Centrally, I cannot interfere in states. It's (power) is a concurrent subject and in the federal polity, states are very sensitive to any 'diktats.' It's not about politics... I will reach out to all states uniformly... I can assure you I will take two steps for every step they extend," the minister added.