Concerned over the massive losses made by power distribution companies (discoms), the Ministry of Power is considering a bailout package, as their deteriorating financial condition may lead to default in the banking system.
The net loss of 15 discoms, which account for over 90% of the country's power consumption, after subsidies was Rs 27,000 crore for the year ended March 31, 2010. The poor financial condition of discoms is mainly attributed to the low-tariff regime as well as high aggregate technical and commercial losses.
Recently, the Appellate Tribunal of Electricity (ATE) asked the State regulators to ensure time and cost-reflective tariff determination. As part of the second phase of reforms in the power sector, the Chaturvedi Committee had raised concerns over the massive losses being incurred by State distribution companies and the need to take steps to set the situation right.
Further in December last year, the Shunglu Committee has given various suggestions on the financial position of distribution utilities, including setting up of a special purpose vehicle, to absorb the losses of discoms.
Rating agency ICRA, based on a study of discoms functioning in 11 State, has pegged the losses of these utilities (before accounting for government subsidy) at Rs.80,000 crore for the current fiscal. Estimates were based on a study of discoms functioning in 11 states.
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