In an effort to attract fresh investments in the power sector and also ensure that the reforms in the sector are continued unabated, the government has decided to constitute a task force on power sector investments and reforms under the chairmanship of Planning Commission member N. K. Singh. The broad objectives of this task force are to catalyse fresh investment in the power sector, ensure the implementation of the reforms and the Electricity Act, 2003.Apart from Singh, other members include Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister S. Narayan, Power Secretary R. V. Shahi (who would also act as the convener of the task force), Revenue Secretary Vineeta Rai and CEA chairman H. L. Bajaj.The terms of reference of the task force include analysis of the existing investment climate in the power sector and suggesting measures for promoting and facilitation private investments, both domestic and foreign, in all segments of the industry; suggesting enabling fiscal regime for securing such investments; considering ways for augmenting resources for meeting the investment needs of the sector with the objective of providing ‘powers for all’ by 2012; suggesting roadmaps for effective functioning of State electricity utilities, including reduction in the cost of delivered power, in the context of Electricity Act, 2003; recommending Electricity Tariff Polify; and evolving and recommending National Electricity Policy. The task force is to submit its report by the end of the year.
