GUWAHATI, March 3? The Centre has launched an Accelerated Power Development Programme (APDP) to explore the power potential of the north-eastern States. While inaugurating the programme here today, the Union Minister of Power, Sri Suresh Prabhu said that the programme is aimed at the providing uninterrupting power supply throughout the country with an annual estimated expenditure of Rs 3000 crore.
Underling the need for speeding up power sector reforms in the State, the Union Power Minister said three circles viz., Guwahati, Jorhat and Dibrugarh have been brought under the APDP, and the Cachar circle would also be considered. Explaining the objectives behind the programme, Sri Prabhu said it would help in bringing about the desired changes in the power sector in the country vis-a-vis restoring the operational and financial health of the State electricity boards and providing quality power to the consumers at a reasonable rate. The programme will help in reducing the transmission and distribution loss in the State electricity boards through cent per cent matering and ensuring energy audit,? he said, adding, ?accountability will be fixed so that power theft can be eliminated to make the circles centres of excellence and centres of profit.?
Stressing the need to make power economically viable Sri Prabhu asked the State Government to submit a blueprint by an expert committee to speed up the power reforms. He assured the Government that the Ministry of Power would extend all possible help and assistance in this regard. Sri Prabhu also urged the State to avail the interest subsidy for loans for development of power sector. ?Funds will no longer be constraints for accelerating the pace of development in the power sector,? he said.