Centre suggests states to list power firms

14 Nov 2024 CW Team

Power Minister Manohar Lal urged states and union territories to consider listing their power generation, transmission, and distribution companies on stock exchanges to attract investment and improve operational efficiency. Addressing the media, after a conference of power ministers, Lal highlighted the need for increased capital inflows to meet India’s rising power demand, which has placed added strain on the sector. “With the growing power demand, there is a growing need for investment in the sector and improving operational efficiencies. States may identify and take up utilities for listing,” he said. Haryana and Gujarat have shown interest to pursue listing initiatives, a move expected to enhance transparency and strengthen the financial health of the sector. The Centre has pushed states to tackle Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, which hit 17.6% in FY24, up from 15.4% in the previous fiscal year. The government suggested states calculate technical and commercial losses separately to allow targeted solutions. "States should look into addressing losses with dedicated methodologies," Lal stated, urging a structured approach to cut inefficiencies. Promoting nuclear power projects also emerged as a priority during the conference. The Centre encouraged states to identify suitable locations, with 18 sites already shortlisted for potential nuclear plants. “States must prioritize nuclear power and secure adequate sites for new projects,” Lal noted, underlining nuclear energy as a sustainable option for India's future energy needs. To boost smart meter installation, the government suggested offering concessional tariffs as an incentive. This aligns with the broader goal to improve grid management and reduce power theft, a pressing issue that impacts the financial health of the sector. Highlighting the fiscal challenges faced by power distribution companies (discoms), the minister shared alarming figures: the outstanding debt of discoms stands at Rs 6.84 lakh crore, while accumulated losses have reached Rs 6.46 trillion. Lal called on states to prioritize reform measures to reduce this burden and improve financial sustainability.

Power Minister Manohar Lal urged states and union territories to consider listing their power generation, transmission, and distribution companies on stock exchanges to attract investment and improve operational efficiency. Addressing the media, after a conference of power ministers, Lal highlighted the need for increased capital inflows to meet India’s rising power demand, which has placed added strain on the sector. “With the growing power demand, there is a growing need for investment in the sector and improving operational efficiencies. States may identify and take up utilities for listing,” he said. Haryana and Gujarat have shown interest to pursue listing initiatives, a move expected to enhance transparency and strengthen the financial health of the sector. The Centre has pushed states to tackle Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, which hit 17.6% in FY24, up from 15.4% in the previous fiscal year. The government suggested states calculate technical and commercial losses separately to allow targeted solutions. States should look into addressing losses with dedicated methodologies, Lal stated, urging a structured approach to cut inefficiencies. Promoting nuclear power projects also emerged as a priority during the conference. The Centre encouraged states to identify suitable locations, with 18 sites already shortlisted for potential nuclear plants. “States must prioritize nuclear power and secure adequate sites for new projects,” Lal noted, underlining nuclear energy as a sustainable option for India's future energy needs. To boost smart meter installation, the government suggested offering concessional tariffs as an incentive. This aligns with the broader goal to improve grid management and reduce power theft, a pressing issue that impacts the financial health of the sector. Highlighting the fiscal challenges faced by power distribution companies (discoms), the minister shared alarming figures: the outstanding debt of discoms stands at Rs 6.84 lakh crore, while accumulated losses have reached Rs 6.46 trillion. Lal called on states to prioritize reform measures to reduce this burden and improve financial sustainability.

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

Technology

13 Oct 2025

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..