Over-capacity in power generation, lack of proper linkage for coal to be used in private power plants and high fixed cost of power purchased from three private producers are the highlights of the draft White Paper on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Former CM Parkash Singh Badal and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who held the Power portfolio when the PPAs were signed, and Bikram Singh Majithia, who held the portfolio of Non-Conventional Energy during the SAD-BJP government, have reportedly been blamed for the “mess in the Power Department”. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh had told the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday that the draft White Paper was ready, but more work needed to be done before it was tabled in the House.
