Free power? No one

Dasmunsi also called for ‘‘substantial centralisation’’ in power planning and management: ‘‘I know states are not going to be happy with this but it needs to be done. Political considerations come in if it’s left to the states.’’ He asked Power Minister Anand Geete to come out with a White Paper on the power sector with a detailed status report on all states, highlighting positions on investments, utilisation and power load factor.

He said that if the country had to reach the growth target of eight per cent, reforms in the power and energy sector were of extreme importance. ‘‘Many good companies are looking to invest in our country. A favourable investment climate can only be created if arrangements are made to put the power sector on track by stopping theft and subsidies,’’ he said.

Dasmunsi also appealed to states, where the coal mafia is active, to curb such activities. ‘‘I know we opposed POTA. But in this I say, if you have any power stronger than POTA, use it against the coal mafia. It is destroying the energy sector of the country,’’ he said.

Later Geete, replying to the debate, said that the law was being amended to provide more teeth to state electricity commissions and appellate tribunals.