Centre to amend ER Act

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved over 14 per cent increase in the cost at Rs 1028.59 crore of Chandrapur high voltage dicret current transmission lines project.

The back to back transmission project of the Power Grid Corporation was commissioned in March 1999 at an investment of Rs 1020.52 crore and cost revision, incorporating the impact of Rs 76.94 crore of interest during construction, would take care of an additional fund requirement of Rs 8.07 crore for the remaining work.

Likewise the CCEA approved a revisedcost of Rs 101.75 crore, reflecting an increase of over nine per cent, for the transmission system associated with Salal phase two hydro power project in Himachal Pradesh.

The project was intented for evacuation of power from the generating station to the northern region. The spokesperson said amendment in regulatory act was considered in view of demands from small north eastern states including Sikkim for a single regulatory commission to cut down expenditure and economise use of personnel.

Meanwhile, the GIG bill will provide for the registration and protection of geographical indication of goods like Basmati rice and Darjeeling tea, an official spokesperson said after the Cabinet meeting. This along with, Patents (Amendment) Bill, Trade Marks Bill and Designs Bill will enable India to discharge commitments under the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.

The Trade Marks Bill has already been cleared by the Cabinet for introduction in Parliament. Commerce and Industry MinisterMurasoli Maran had said that all the four bills will be taken up during the winter session.