DISCIPLINING THE DISCOMS
India Today|March 04, 2024
Employing a carrot-and-stick approach, the power ministry is trying to make discoms more efficient, even as multiple challenges threaten to trip its efforts
ANILESH S. MAHAJAN
DISCIPLINING THE DISCOMS

Sometime in the middle of January, Hiralal Nagar, the energy minister in the newly sworn-in BJP government in Rajasthan, visited Union power minister R.K.Singh's office in New Delhi with a request. He wondered if his state could get additional electricity along with some relaxations in lending norms. Distribution companies, or discoms, in Rajasthan, have a cumulative debt of Rs 79,370 crore, according to the latest filings with the state's regulator. It's a nightmare for the new government, which has to honour electricity subsidies committed by its predecessors. Singh's response to Nagar was a polite "sorry". Nagar is not the only one; many of his counterparts and chief ministers from other states have been approaching the Union minister with similar requests for either more electricity or waiving their discoms' debt or legacy dues owed to generation and transmission companies. Singh has the same answer for all of them. "We cannot put more money behind bad money," he tells INDIA TODAY in an interview. "There is no exemption for anyone...the entire system is automated and rule-based. Even if I want to game it, I can't. There's no politics in this." Instead, the Union minister suggests alternatives and advises his visitors not to deviate from the painful path of reforms. His message is clear the states have to strive for round-the-clock power supply, but without compromising the fiscal health of the discoms, which, for decades, have been described as the weakest link in the power sector.

WHY DISCOMS WENT DOWN

Bu hikaye India Today dergisinin March 04, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye India Today dergisinin March 04, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

INDIA TODAY DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
WEAVE A STORY
India Today

WEAVE A STORY

Saree plays muse and material in this modern iteration

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
SIMPLE LIVING
India Today

SIMPLE LIVING

Spatial planning meets spirituality, and up-cyling meets unconventional design practices, in this Gurgaon home

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
HARMONY IN DESIGN
India Today

HARMONY IN DESIGN

Using principles of vaastu coupled with a creative interplay of open and closed spaces, this home in Vadodara is a welcome sight

time-read
2 dak  |
December 23, 2024
THE NEW ECO CHIC
India Today

THE NEW ECO CHIC

This home in Kerala is designed on the principles of climate responsive architecture

time-read
2 dak  |
December 23, 2024
Crafting a New Look
India Today

Crafting a New Look

A look at five festive artistic finds from Jaipur to brighten your celebrations

time-read
2 dak  |
December 23, 2024
NAMES TO KNOW
India Today

NAMES TO KNOW

From homes and offices to banquets and hotels, these architects and designers' approach to design is paving the way for some exciting spaces

time-read
3 dak  |
December 23, 2024
CHIC AND COSY
India Today

CHIC AND COSY

Let your indoor winter wonderland revel in bold bedding, quilted beauties and charming cushions

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
STEP INTO STYLE
India Today

STEP INTO STYLE

This winter, international collaborations are lending the Indian carpet industry a unique look underfoot

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
DECK THE HALLS
India Today

DECK THE HALLS

With this festive array of accessories, cushions and X'mas-themed decoratives

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
India Today

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Looking for Christmas inspiration? Here are plenty of ideas to steal and products to make it come to life.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024