Amendment to Electricity Act likely to be delayed pending Standing Committee report

New Delhi: Reforms in the power distribution sector may have to wait as amendments to the Electricity Act cannot be presented pending the report of the Standing Committee. "The Standing Committee will give its report on the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014 by April and then we can introduce it in Parliament," Power Minister Piyush Goyal told PTI. [caption id="attachment_2032369" align="alignleft" width="380"] Power amendment law must wait. Reuters[/caption]The minister said the proposed bill will be introduced post recess in the Budget session of Parliament. The recess of close to three weeks is the time when parliamentary standing committees study ministry-specific demands for grants.It is only after consideration of the standing committees that these demands for grants are brought before both the Houses, discussed, and then passed.The cabinet, last month, approved various amendments to the existing Electricity Act 2003, aimed at enabling consumers to choose their electricity supplier, among other reforms.The amendments will also promote competition, efficiency in operations and improvement in quality of supply of electricity in the country, resulting in capacity addition and ultimate benefit to consumers.The Central government has also said wherever there are existing power purchase agreements, the interests of stakeholders will be protected, which will be done in consultation with the power regulator. The government plans to allow competition at the last mile or to the end-consumer without raising tariff or compromising on better customer service. PTI