Budget gives thrust to rural electrification

Creation of a rural infrastructure development fund to boost spread of electricity network across the length and breadth of the country.

The Electricity Act of 2003 proposed significant policy decisions that could reform the Indian power sector over the long term. Licensing norms for entering generation and T&D businesses of power have been eased. The government plans to add around 100,000 MW of generation capacity by 2012 in order to bridge the current demand-supply gap. This would almost double India's power generation capacity from the current levels of 112,058 MW. To that extent, on an overall basis, the outlook for the sector remains positive.

Removal of the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT)

Excise duty on machinery needs to become zero, in order to encourage infrastructure development

Import duty on oil, fuel etc. needs to go, in a bid to encourage plants run by these fuels.

APDRP outlay enhanced to Rs 3500 crore {Rs 35 billion (from Rs 15 billion)earlier)}.

The focus of reform has shifted from generation to transmission and distribution.

Setting up of an infrastructure equity fund of Rs 1000 crore (Rs 10 billion)

Customs duty reduced on high voltage equipments from 25 per cent to 5 per cent.

Import of capital goods relating to water treatment exempt from duties.

Financial institutions like IDFC, ICICI Bank, SBI, LIC, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank will form an Inter-Institutional Group (IIG) where in, they will pool resources to the tune of Rs 40,000 (Rs 400 billion), which will be made available to infrastructure projects as and when needed.

Government to provide equity support of around Rs 14200 crore (Rs 142 billion) and loans worth Rs 2100 crore (Rs 21 billion) to central public sector enterprises including power.

Tax benefit under Section 80 IA extended to projects undertaken during the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006.

Basic necessities like power to be made available to everyone.

2 per cent education cess on all taxes.

Large investment plans: Considering the energy shortage in the country, the government has embarked on a plan to add nearly 100,000 MW of capacity by 2012. This includes 41,110 MW of addition in the ongoing tenth plan (2002-07). This is likely to plug the demand-supply gap and result into improved performance for power sector players.

Electricity Act 2003: The Electricity Act 2003 provides great opportunity for power companies, given its provisions relating to the abolishment of various licensing norms, liberalisation on the power distribution business and opening of power trading for private power companies.

Benefits of unbundling: Provision for unbundling of power generation, transmission & distribution companies has been laid. This will result in reducing T&D losses, as incentives to these private players are directly linked to reduction in T&D losses.

Securitisation Act: Passage of the Securitisation Act was another major development, as power companies will be able to pursue their expansion plans with ease.

T&D losses pinch: The T&D losses, which are still on the higher side, result in lower effective realisation of per unit of power produced by generation companies. Poor T&D infrastructure remains a cause of concern. It is due to this and few other factors that the losses are on the higher side as compared to other countries. As a result, the industry is able to deliver less than its actual potential. This in turn has also affected the ability of players to reinvest towards growth initiatives.

SEBs reeling under losses: Poor financial health of the state electricity boards (SEBs) continues to be cause of concern. Though some measures have been taken to address this issue, these have been inappropriate. Inability to take hard decisions has been impacting industry fortunes.