BackGovt likely to clear power discoms’ debt recast by month-end
Govt likely to clear power discoms’ debt recast by month-end
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New Delhi: The government is likely to give the green signal this month for the restructuring of debt held by state-run power distribution companies, whose precarious financial health has raised default worries.
“Understanding is that by the end of this month the (restructuring of discoms’s debt) should (be approved) because everybody is in a hurry," department of financial services secretary D K Mittal said on the sidelines of an Assocham event.
Banks and financial institutions are estimated to have an exposure of about ₹ 1.20 lakh crore to various power discoms.
According to Mittal, “It is for the Power Ministry to take a final call on restructuring debt of power discoms, by taking approval of the competent authorities... funds will flow to discoms as much as they have been restructured."
Finance ministry, power ministry and the Planning Commission are working in co-ordination for restructuring the debt liabilities of discoms.
Providing relief of three to four years for utilities from repaying loans are among proposals under consideration.
According to sources, one of the pre-requisites for improving the financial health of discoms is committment towards regular revision of electricity tariffs.
The Shunglu panel, set up by the Planning Commission, last year estimated accumulated loss of discoms at ₹ 82,000 crore during the 2006-10 period. The panel was set up to look into the financial health of discoms.
Earlier this year, rating agency ICRA projected the losses for discoms — before accounting for government subsidy — in the country at ₹ 80,000 crore in FY 2012, much higher than ₹ 63,500 crore seen in FY 2010.
About more than three-fourth of the estimated loss is on account of discoms in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
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