Has the monopoly of the PSEB over power generation and distribution adversely affected the interest of consumers?
Mr Singla: The monopoly over power has led to inefficiency, corruption and ineffectiveness in the PSEB. The board generates power worth Rs 11,000 crore every year but it gets revenue worth Rs 6000 crore. For every 100 units sold, another 38 were lost in transmission and distribution of power because of theft and other reasons. The monopoly of the PSEB over power required to be broken. There should be alternative before consumers for power supply. Let the PSEB face competition from private players. What is the power scenarios at present? Mr Singla: There is need to generate about 2000 MW more power in the coming years in the state to cope up with the growing demand. For that Rs 10,000 crore were required. About Rs 11,300 crore was required to clean up the balance sheet, which was a demand of engineers. From where will the money come? The state has no money to pay salaries to its own employees. The only option left is to allow private investment in the power sector. And without extensive
