Prime Minister presents National Awards to Power Utilities

Expressing serious concern over power shortage in varying degrees across the country, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasized the need for the Power Sector to grow to meet the needs of industry and agriculture; the needs of urban areas and rural areas; the needs of households, farms and factories.

Speaking at a function, here today, after presenting the National Awards to Power utilities for meritorious performance, Dr. Singh said, "The total addition of generation capacity in the 10th Plan was just above 50% of what was targeted. We need to do much better if we have to ensure that electricity does not become a constraint on our economy."

The Prime Minister called upon all Central and State utilities to utilize generating capacity to the maximum possible extent through the adoption of best practices and regular maintenance of generating units. Stating that high transmission and distribution losses and theft of electricity are unacceptable, he underscored the need for reforms in the distribution sector. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of demand side management. The Union Minister for Power, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, M.Ps and senior officials of Power Ministry were present at the function.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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