Centre not against free power: Sayeed

Giving a virtual green signal to the Punjab Government’s proposal to give free power to farmers, Sayeed said the Union government will not come in the way of any state government giving free or subsidised power to any section. He was quick to add that the Centre will not backtrack on the unbundling of state electricity boards.

Responding to a query regarding the position of the Ministry of Power vis-a-vis free power to farmers, Sayeed remarked that ‘‘in a federal setup, states take their own decisions within their jurisdiction’’. ‘‘Section 65 of the Electricity Act 2003 specifies that any state government can give relief to any state, segment or weaker sections according to its own interpretation,’’ Sayeed remarked, adding, ‘‘We will not interfere.’’

When told that the Congress held different positions in different states, Sayeed said the party too accepts the principle of federalism and allows the state to take its own decisions. ‘‘The decision depends on the political leadership of the state concerned, the psychology of the leaders and the consequent political gains,’’ the power minister remarked.

Sayeed was in Nangal to inaugurate the training centre of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The occasion also saw BBMB chief Rakesh Nath refute the study by an NGO which had said that Bhakra-Nangal project did not qualify to be called a temple of modern India.