Mamata opposing distribution reforms to protect monopoly: R K Singh

NEW DELHI: Power minister R K Singh on Monday questioned Mamata Banerjee’s motives for opposing delicensing of government discoms proposed in the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021 with the aim of ushering in competition and giving consumer choice of service providers like in mobile telephony.

“Why does she want to protect monopoly in the power distribution sector, especially when Kolkata has one of the highest tariff in the country,” Singh said when asked for his reaction on the Bengal chief minister’s letter to prime minister Narendra Modi describing the Bill’s provisions as “anti-people” and opposing the government’s plan to introduce it in the current Parliament session.