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State agri Ministers to meet to discuss power-based issues

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, July 4

THE Union Power Ministry is convening a meeting of State Agriculture Ministers to study the pricing of electricity for farmers, installation of efficient pumpsets and to evolve a mechanism for implementing Government policies.

Speaking at a seminar on efficient lighting organised by Assocham here on Wednesday, the Union Power Minister, Mr Suresh Prabhu, said that the nation had so far only concentrated on adding generation capacity and ignored energy conservation potential, wh ich, according to experts, was as high as 40 per cent.

According to Mr Prabhu, the Government has engaged the services of an agency to submit a report in three months on the sector-wise potential for energy conservation.

The Minister reiterated the Government's commitment to pass the Energy Conservation Bill in the monsoon session of the Parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raj Sehgal, Managing Director, Osram, said that demand-side management would lead to reduction in demand of one MW equivalent to 1.6 MW equivalent of installed generating capacity and significant savings.

Pic.: The Minister for Power, Mr Suresh Prabhu, with the President, Assocham, Mr Ragu Mody, at a seminar on `Efficient lighting issues -- Issues and opportunities' in the Capital on Wednesday.

Picture by Ramesh Sharma