Fight over the new law & India has excess power, people starved & sellers bankrupt

As the Centre introduced the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 in Lok Sabha on Monday, in episode 1052 of #CutTheClutter, ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at the highlights of the proposed bill, why some critics have apprehensions over the bill & how India's power economics has gone wrong.
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Correction 18:45 - Thomas Isaac has been incorrectly mentioned as the Foreign Minister of Kerala. It should have been Finance Minister of Kerala. Error regretted.
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Brought to you by @KiaInd
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00:30 Cut The Clutter
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Read The Wire article here: thewire.in/government/continu...
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Read the draft of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 here: www.eqmagpro.com/wp-content/u...
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[@ThePrintIndia]

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[@prasannarajan5764]

Talk about IELTS scam in India.

[@serious1587]

Sir please get the science journalist lady to do an explainer on power grid. How long can generated power be stored? How many power grids are there (america has 3)? Who runs the power plants (private/public/state/center)? Why exactly do power cuts happen (defect in line/power capacity overload)? It was refreshing to see an episode devoid of stealth soft HIndutva after a long time on the Print.

[@pranic8722]

What an stupide channel boycotte this ugly desi dhrohi channel

[@rodtukker1904]

Free market should be open without preferential treatment for one or the other. Cheaper and sustainable options would prevail. That's the missing point in this analysis.

[@serious1587]

@@rodtukker1904 In Texas they tried to make a free market for power and lots of people went bankrupt from surge pricing during a storm so I'm not sure if a complete free market would help but a more level playing field for private players in power would definitely be a positive.

[@kamalsh6123]

"License Raj" takes you back to those horrendous days when you had to line up for milk, grains and even Bajaj scooters and Maruti cars. Absolutely necessary to move away from those bad days. That alone makes me sure that I will support the new bill.

[@hitendrarocks]

Even for mobile sim’s which are home delivered now a days

[@rithusankar1205]

101% true only a communist brain dead will oppose the bill or the anti national jihadist

[@secretscipio]

As a Gen Z, can't even imagine how horrifying experience it would have been.

[@libshastra]

@@secretscipio you don't need to imagine, just read some of the other comments. They will tell you how terrible things were.

[@chinmaydas4053]

These types of important reforms in agriculture, power,land etc must have been done many years earlier 👍👍👍

[@undertaker5512]

These reforms were implemented few years ago but....

[@thiagarajann3776]

Yes Delhi recieved unlimited power from TN plants for free. Now Delhi should pay to TN and give unlimited free power to TN....

[@ManishKumar-wb7vj]

janta bevkuf h kya kare koi abhi sadko pe aa jayenge

[@anustupgayen810]

But then the bongs will do andolons

[@garyish]

@@thiagarajann3776 That would be 2 wrongs making a right 😂 This reform isn’t that: it’s everyone paying for what they use

[@gauravkr9076]

People of India want to live like American and European but don't want to pay for it

[@anuragbanerjee2879]

Or work for it .. get skills and education

[@rajjatgujjar3614]

Well if someone is promising to give it for free whats the point of working for it. Thats where the problem lies amd i am pretty sure Kejriwal knows about but he wants the power at any cost.

[@anuragbanerjee2879]

@@rajjatgujjar3614 but the cost is not his .. the money is not his .. is the people who paid taxes and want to see their money spend for public services

[@anirudhgupta7111]

still we are paying high tarrif than europe and america

[@eshwarappah9001]

@@rajjatgujjar3614 I'm not supporting kejriwal but even centre govt also did though 🤔

[@libshastra]

It doesn't matter if you are market oriented or not, it is unacceptable for Govts avoid paying DISCOMMs their dues and use their future revenues as collateral to pay for previous year's bills (or force a write off). That is just bad fiscal management, left or right, it should be treated as bad governance. Also, if you read history, the only reason why the East India Company was able to rapidly conquer India was because Indian Kings never paid their dues (often over generations) to the merchants. The Merchant to whom the Royals owed money to, simply allied with someone who understood the basics of upholding contracts (i.e. The British).

[@rutvikrs]

Fascinating. Source? I am curious to read further on this.

[@libshastra]

@@rutvikrs The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple is a starting point. I have also been reading British archive on Project Gutenberg.

[@ashutoshbundela3744]

@@rutvikrs It's always the case when empires fall. How do people simply accept conquest by a foreign power? Either by brute force, which can backfire like in Vietnam in 1000 of years. Or the people are fed up of ruler and simply accept the conquerors and sometimes aid them. That's why 10k Brits ruled over 300m indians. How do I know that? Well I have Nepali friends who were under a monarchy until recently. They hated them so much that they'd rather have Commies in power.

[@nishantshrivastava9674]

@@libshastra Go rural part of India especially in those ghettos of peacefuls and try for load inspection.. I have personally felt it.. Even police escorts started to disperse.. Mobs started gathering to attack.. And finally we convinced them that we r here for our own official work and nothing to do with their meters. U want this to continue for more 200 yrs so we get bankrupt. Sadly ground realities are different my friend and if any senior official uses extra amount of force to mobilize.. He will be suspended. Let the private companies generate revenues on their own risk.. They will be liable to pay electricity dept which is still under govt control jst like emi recovery agencies and toll tax collecting agencies.

[@tanmayasahu5171]

@@ashutoshbundela3744 so true man

[@mnd3607]

Just imagine BSNL is the only service provider..forget 4g..we would be still running on 2g today

[@ashwinsingh199]

In mumbai, you can choose who you wish to buy the electricity from for the last 5 yrs with option of BEST, Adani & Tata. The cable remains the same, only the meter changes and they all have their respective tariffs, customers can choose their DC depending on their energy usage (some give low base rate, some give lower highest slab rate)

[@ThePrintIndia]

Mumbai is the pioneer for all of India…that’s why fully reliable power always..tks for writing in..shekhar

[@libshastra]

@@ThePrintIndia it was only South Mumbai + outlying areas though. The rest of the City had to deal with MSEB now MahaDISCOM.

[@ashwinsingh199]

@@libshastra I stay in Suburban Mumbai or Greater Mumbai. Never had to deal with Mahavitran (MSEB) here. Cheers!

[@libshastra]

@@ashwinsingh199 up until mid 90s (IIRC) BSES was limited to Bandra. After that it came under BSES. MahaVitran was reorganized in 2005. So in some sense I can tell you are younger than I am.

[@rohanpawar2166]

@@libshastra i live in suburbs and i have options of reliance or adani

[@yetanotheropinion.843]

Unfortunate rule of thumb. If some ex bureaucrats, judges and NGOs get together to oppose something than the proposed reform is beneficial to commoners like us, in long run.

[@MrReachashish]

satya vachan

[@tapemaj]

Will the poor villagers understand your logic ?

[@nothing21797]

@@tapemaj let's hope they understand that if something is free you are the product.

[@tapemaj]

@@nothing21797 There’s No Free lunch in life - remember that . Make them pay and then lessons learnt .. But it’s a hugely political matter which no political party will compromise with especially in Lok Sabha seats like in UP or Maharashtra..

[@suneel7053]

SG sir is doing national and social service by de-cluttering and explaining topics that are important. Thank you sir.

[@ThePrintIndia]

Thank you a Suneel. Friends like you keep us going…Shekhar

[@RanjithVishnuvardhan]

yes...thank you sir..

[@harshithgowda202]

@@ThePrintIndia Thomas is Ex Finance Min of Kerala not Foreign Minister Gupta Ji

[@premmahto4855]

yes, no one explain the topics , everyone is just debating and mudding the water

[@sankalp6872]

There is a report in Indian Express on Punjab's financial health. The state's tax to GDP ratio is at 46%. TWO-THIRDS of their revenues go toward DEBT SERVICING. The revenue has barely grown in the last two decades.GST compensation will not be given this year onwards. That's a hole of almost 20,000 crores. Of course, AAP Govt cannot be BLAMED for this but can Punjab really afford more WELFARE MEASURES ( I am deliberately not calling them FREEBIES or REVADIS)? Mini Sri Linka ALERT.

[@0609Bhuwan]

Please note that the state Budget does not EVEN reflect the Unpaid subsidy dues to the Electricity Boards, or the unpaid bills of government departments or the Coal dues of the State Power plants sitting as "pending recoveries" off Balance sheet... Add these and Punjab is already insolvent leave alone cost of new "welfare measures"

[@akshaypendyala]

@@0609Bhuwan and they are protesting against the power amendment

[@0609Bhuwan]

@@akshaypendyala Exactly ... Just like a Car loan defaulter protests against repossession of their Car by the Bank... The lights will go out in Punjab when the new Law comes

[@premmahto4855]

But these are not welfare scheme but more of freebies. I am waiting after the end of this term what calculation majic Kejriwal will do to say that We are honest government , we have saved so much money thats why we are giving freebies.

[@yashrao5269]

its good to see the comment section is actually supporting this action by Modi Govt

[@shanavasps7608]

Its Good mahn, this will end the free electricity trick, which was used by politicians for winning the race. We need this type of actions to grow our country. But main thing we need to reduce our over consumption of energy /all goods, so we can reduce import, increase export of goods we have with us.

[@yashrao5269]

@@shanavasps7608 I hope all of this issues will be solved asap, this govt is determined to do that.

[@shubhamgawde4303]

#BJP_IT_CELL_WORKERS are working overtime to justify the failed policies of #GODI_GOVT.

[@shanavasps7608]

@@shubhamgawde4303 yes.

[@AB2312]

When I was constructing my house, I wanted to apply according to 6 bedroom with Air-conditioned etc. I was told by the electricity staff that I should not apply for higher KVA. I learned that they would undercharge me by meter tampering and then I could pay them bribes. I applied for the correct KVA. The staff learned that . They lost my file . I had a gen set and while my construction was still going on - at night I would use the gen set .Finally after reapplying for 3 times - I ran across an old school friend who had taken up a job with DESU. He told me that I need not worry as after applying 3 times ,the staff could not stop my application!

[@venomfu007]

India is a power excess country. That too cheap power due to coal. It is only the political class that makes it inaccessible & unaffordable to the people.

[@abhinay4200]

No wonder foreign Manufacturing companies prefer China to India.

[@tapemaj]

Coal ? No way ? Pollution

[@thetrip6829]

@@tapemaj you act like a you live in an European country. 50rs kat sale ka overacting ke liye.

[@hj2711]

@@tapemaj not only coal we got tons of solar and wind energy

[@nairpraving]

I think that's what he explained... distribution is problem, not generating.... plus giving power for free. It costs money to move power giving it free will impact its availability... you can't sustain a 24 7 power for free.. unless you have your own solar panels ...

[@libshastra]

Upto the mid 2000s, State DISCOMs used to harass paying customers. MSEB (the predecessor to MAHADISCOM), would retroactively hike rates, then send you a bill with the retroactive rate and then proceed to disconnect electricity. Those DISCOM babu relied on the fact that paying customers would not maintain 20 years (I kid you not) of electricity bills, payments receipts to dispute with them. Some of this billing harassment shit still happens today however, they can't retroactively hike rates and make you pay for them. I kid you not, I would run around with my mom or dad with stacks of bills and payment receipts disputing this nonsense, jumping through all the hoops. It was miserable.

[@tapemaj]

So ? You never paid your electricity bills ? Free bird ehh ?

[@libshastra]

@@tapemaj we fought it and decline to pay the retroactive rate hike (just like Vodafone, Cairn, etc.).

[@a141tho2]

Exactly. I swear some of these new gen intellectuals are too young and too stupid to understand what our people has been through under "babu socialism". Sucking up to left's criticism thinking that it is "truth to power" or some "revolution" in making, taking everything for granted. Yes,we should focus on welfare of people, but Welfare needs capital generated through market economics, straight and simple.

[@GururajShivramakrishnan]

Bescom in bangalore is the most corrupt psu in country. Even for get wired fixed they do only with bribe. For electrical connection we have to pay hefty bribes..... hopefully this law can help .... jai hind

[@souvikghosh9748]

I am 34 years old I remember similar thing in my childhood in Kolkata. My elder uncle used have this old stack of electricity bill paid receipts. The bottom layer would be so old that the paper has become yellowish and tattered. I once asked him why you keep this, he said "What if someday the power company comes and says you haven't paid the bill for so and so month in so and so year". That time I thought he was being paranoid but now I know.

[@NARAYAN1964]

Great move by NDA Govt. Rest assured we can expect the opposition not see advantages of this reform and start another round of protests and bus burning.

[@fuzzyblue74]

what has this goverment done for the poor??? 5% GST to essential items!!!! this was OK for you?????

[@MrSaviour]

@@fuzzyblue74 Read a bit before talking about something you don't understand please!

[@tamobiswas6083]

@@fuzzyblue74 yeah, there is nothing wrong. stop with revdi culture - from a middle-class taxpayer who works hard to earn and pay taxes

[@a141tho2]

@@fuzzyblue74 Yes and ? The GST should cover even more "essential" items. Widen taxpayer net and only interfere when its necessary. Also for the record, no other govt has done more free welfarism than this one. Something I dont agree with.

[@mukundjaiswal8083]

@@a141tho2 please understand why government is hiking gst, because they don't have fund. If we can cut the freebies we'll not need to tax on essential goods. Anyone who is promoting freebies without any Bulletproof plan should not get any chance to seat on the throne. Even if it bjp or another.

[@casperjoshi]

You forget the elephant in the room, power theft sponsored and supported and sponsored by politicians and bureaucracy.

[@pratikkbanerjee]

It is clear by the reforms brought forth by the Modi Government that the incumbent government is hell bent on reforming the Indian system for better and would do whatever it takes to take India to greater heights!

[@sachinkumar-rk9df]

I just hope they won't succumb to pressure and repeal it just like farm laws

[@mongoose1618]

A massive hit to Kejriwal's free electricity promise in an already bankrupt Punjab.

[@adityapadhy4328]

Kudos to the BJP government for making these tough but necessary decisions. Only the BJP have the guts to implement these reforms

[@fuzzyblue74]

what has this goverment done for the poor??? 5% GST to essential items!!!! this was OK for you?????

[@garyish]

@@fuzzyblue74 Nice copy paste marathon u have here 😂

[@digetalised]

When your electricity bill will double will u still be supporting while income will reduce bu way of more taxes

[@rutvikrs]

@@fuzzyblue74 yes it was ok. That is why we are not begging the IMF for a bailout.

[@mikeydmz1588]

For how long? The poor becoming poorer and the rich & corrupt politicians becoming more rich.

[@xenonian100]

'Nationally Respected' Thomas Issac is being questioned by ED for floating bonds in London Stock Exchange and flaunting foreign exchange regulations.😀😀

[@sudhakarankarunakaran6932]

That is order today. Internationally respected Mahathma Gandhi's Killers are worshipped.

[@chokaling]

Who is not being questioned by the ED, that's the question! 😅 For all we know our good Mr. Gupta himself is "under questioning"!

[@Ashish-yq2lt]

ED has been weaponized by the current government just like CBI was during the Congress government

[@pankajsathoo1256]

The crust of this act is the Death Knell to Arvind Kejriwal politics

[@fuzzyblue74]

FekuG is scared of the mufflerman,coming soon to Gujrath

[@rmrrao2675]

AK will offer something else free. Easy to offer. All lies. Ask him to name the new hospitals he built in Delhi that he promised.

[@hj2711]

@@fuzzyblue74 in dream

[@banditonehundred]

They probably saved him in Punjab. That Government is broke, now they will blame a Modi for taking away subsidies. Modi is paranoid about Kejriwal, making silly mistakes

[@binaymahanta2137]

Arvind Kejriwal politics is welfare politics, same as what is done in most developed economies like UK, Canada, Australia, USA and most European countries. Probably you are not aware.

[@chanakyabharat756]

Seriously how are people trusting this Kejriwal guy.

[@XYZLove123]

That's why I support Modi ji Well done BJP

[@9865177863]

Don’t care about price hike

[@tapemaj]

Electricity bill ought to be implemented. Rich farmers riding piggy back upon poor farmers. Tax payers paying for these ‘revdis’ No way . Enough is enough Rich farmers prefer remaining poor due to such ‘revdis’ . Aah that Kejri is laughable .. Excellent presentation once more .

[@ThePrintIndia]

Absolutely sound point Tapesh… hope they don’t lose nerve like they did with farm bills and labour codes…tks for writing in.. shekhar

[@puneetmishra4726]

@@ThePrintIndia They have backed down on labour codes too? Oh gods, help us

[@rodtukker1904]

Fuel in GST and Farmers should be able to enlist as company and get all the GST rebate for use in production. They would collect GST from their customers to pay to Govt. That's how EU farmers run their farming business both small and big.

[@tapemaj]

@@rodtukker1904 Agreed - but in India the farming sector is not regulated and quite disorganised especially in the remote county side . India is a huge country - let’s not forget that as opposed to the smaller EU nations .

[@rodtukker1904]

@@tapemaj May be that's an issue that India need to fix. States are small and should be able to manage the process. Politicians want to keep farmers as vote bank by offering freebies for farming to keep them poor forever. Initial implementations can be done at the farmer society level if not at the individual farmer level.

[@suryansh13]

Glad that the govt is not falling for populist moves !!

[@aniseedus]

This shows the critics are not pro- good policy but more like anti-establishment. It's surprising how the critics still hold onto fantasies of Licence Raj. Hopefully this does not go the Farm Laws way.

[@ajaykumardobaria4597]

This isn’t enough, india has opportunity to lead new benchmark by establishing fair competition for future growth. Private companies and its innovation can take this sector to another level..

[@gmsubbarao]

Thank you SG ji for this episode. More power to the Govt for such a bold move

[@ArunPandiyan6]

Much needed reform in the power sector.

[@anupamagrawal9952]

This sounds so much like a dream reform! Kudos modi ji, kudos! Only you could do this

[@ajayintel]

Its not passed yet it has been referred to a standing committee

[@jaikumar8506]

@@ajayintel and will be eventually passed.

[@narasimharao9492]

Pls wait.. this will be watered down even if passed

[@cagouravmodi]

Modi Govt is only good at introducing reform bills. They don't have the gumption to pass them (remember land acquisition bill, farm bill). So don't be optimistic....

[@ajayintel]

@@jaikumar8506 hopefully

[@surendrabarsode8959]

1. Modi should lay out a plan for complete abolition of various subsidies and offer of a DBT scheme for the identified beneficiaries. This means that every one pays commercial rates for all the services and products lik power, fertilizers, water etc. but out of Central Govt revenue ( from taxes and similar receipts), a fixed and a big percentage is distributed as Direct Benefit Transfers. 2. This will give voters a big picture of things to come and there will not mad opposition to the various sensible reforms. 3. With JAM trinity, we have the infrastructure to distribute such benefits directly to the accounts of the beneficiaries. 4. Any piecemeal reforms will be opposed tooth and nail by leader like Kejariwal or Stalin or KCR as it affects their politics.

[@0609Bhuwan]

Many of these services are provided by the states being state subjects per constitution. 50% of central tax revenues are devolved to states similarly... The states could do DBT too using JAM but they dont because then they will need to pay from their state budgets which are broke.. SO they just park this expense on the balance sheets of the Dist companies ... This bill will make sure that such "freebie" expenses will have to be funded fully by the states.. States like Punjab , Kerala & AP will become insolvent overnight hence the hue and cry

[@RD-ij2sz]

There are anti nationals who want to distribute power free .

[@shantanu5152]

Another thing is that many state governments aren't paying the outstanding bills of coal India. Bcz they don't care. Without any strict rule they will never going to pay. If a state government can give free electricity worth of 4000cr and not able to pay 2500cr to coal india then it's simply showing their negligence.

[@naadanparinda9056]

Sometimes I laugh at myself that I volunteered for India Against Corruption back then and look at its product: Arvind Kejriwal. Did Kejriwal play with my emotions to get political power? Was he always a sinister like he has become now?

[@rutvikrs]

Same here. My family sold a flat to fund this idiot. I even volunteered in my professional capacity.

[@fuzzyblue74]

wait till the Gujrat elections ,the anti UPA protests were by the RSS

[@garyish]

To be fair, IAC was not just Kejriwal.. it was Anna hazare and bunch of other people as well… so it’s not like you volunteered only for him.

[@naveenthumu8]

Your Name suits you well! Pun intended!!

[@Ashish-yq2lt]

He's still much less sinister than others

[@rohit18018]

Extremely important step taken by government, you had to take this plunge one day or another. Only concern is that it should not go the way of Land Acquisition Bill & Farm Bill. Government should sell it strongly and don't back up now. Kudos

[@fuzzyblue74]

what has this goverment done for the poor??? 5% GST to essential items!!!! this was OK for you?????

[@rohit18018]

@@fuzzyblue74 real poor is getting it for free, you will never understand reforms, they may pinch initially but prosper in long term. Tell me one reform which has not worked. I'm sure you don't want license Raj

[@roshanthapa8487]

Imagine your day having to go to SBI Bank to withdraw cash, BSNL Mobile Phone and slow data. No OLA or Uber just travel in Gov Bus. If we want progress then we have to beleive in market economics.

[@badpapi5043]

I am old enough to know those bad old days. Capitalism with Government oversight is best foam of economy.

[@roshanthapa8487]

@@badpapi5043 Yes Sir I have also heard tales where you waited 1 year for Telephone Connection and 2 Years for Scooter.

[@libshastra]

You are describing the pre 2004 era. You go to SBI to fight a babu to withdraw cash, then go to a BSNL booth to call someone and often scream on the phone so that they hear it and then walk miles to a Govt bus stop to take a back breaking bus ride over non existent roads. Welcome to our childhood.

[@rmrrao2675]

7 years wait for Fiat. 7 years for Vespa. Arrogant Indian Airlines employees, permanent wait for a phone, no electricity, milk shortages. That was India under the dynasts.

[@kaalishanmugam5796]

Imagine your day having to go to Yes Bank to withdraw cash, Vodafone Mobile Phone and crappy coverage. No public transport, just travel in private autos fleecing customers as they see fit. The question is not public or private but how efficiently you run. If we concede govt is useless to run anything why bother even having a govt? Just to collect tax, erect statues, let corporate cronies grow richer than ever? And to come back to power they wont have anything to show, so they polarize electorate using religion, caste...

[@ashoksondur445]

DMK/AIDMK and NTR and Akali dal should be give national award as pioneers/ champions of the free schemes since 1980's a old disease and no remedy. It is democracy

[@hassobhatia990]

I was advisor to state electricity regulatory commissions (ERCs) during 1999-2000, after the Electricity Act was passed which lead to privatization and unbundling of generation from the distribution function. All state electricity boards were running in massive losses due to theft, nonpayments, political interference nd outright iefficiency. Capacity utilization factors were very low due to poor maintenance, lack of funds, etc. electricity sector has come a long way, in expanded capacity but I disagree that India has surplus power…

[@ankitprakash8432]

You were in 1999-2000 that time India was not having surplus power but in 2022-2023 India has surplus power.

[@ed4all33]

You forgot to add rampant corruption , harassment of customers , making people run from pillar to post for everything, not doing their job without bribes. Even checking a faulty meter , or getting a wire checked would not be done without a bribe . How come you neglected to add that . Makes one wonder

[@akshaypendyala]

@@ankitprakash8432 but we still have power cuts. Irony.

[@aguy4823]

@@akshaypendyala same case with food

[@akshaypendyala]

@@aguy4823 yup, somehow the efficiency of food distribution is low that even when we have excess food, many people in the country are going to sleep hungry.

[@akshay.kumar.k]

Certain political parties have too much distrust in the corporate and creative India. It is this exact attitude that is creating certain government-favorite companies (you know the names). It is a catch-22. More red-tape-ism = more govt-friendly companies, less chance for others, probably, mass-friendly people. Presently, nobody is stopping anybody from setting up huge renewable plants. But the doers are none, wasting money on ephemeral startups. Diversifying not just in different sectors but also involving multiple parties in the same sector gives market segmentation, catering to rich and poor.

[@abcdabcdabcd317]

Problem is not with corporates running the show.. Problem is with oligarchy

[@agentdhamaka]

@@abcdabcdabcd317 Then you should complain to CCI along with supporters or bring competition. You can't sit still and complain being helpless.

[@pavanbalakrishna8401]

I live in tokyo japan , we have a similar concept where individuals can choose whom to buy power from ! It is very good for customers as they get the best prices !

[@chennareddyindla2349]

విషయం తెలిపినందుకు ధన్యవాదములు బాలకృష్ణ.

[@chaitanyashinde7700]

This also needs to be privatized. Let the market generate and distribute electricity. Government can regulate the prices vs owning it.

[@pfpawar1719]

Nothing is going to improve by this act except financials of private players let's say you are talking about the power failure in your areas.... you must know that there won't be any improvement in that as the network used by private players will be same as used by state owned discoms.The discoms have created this networks over past 30/40 odd years costing arround 1 lakh crores as of today and this network will be used by private players for 0.0001% of its cost. The state owned discoms cross subsidies electricity that is they sell. For ex if the cost of supply of 1 unit electricity is 5rs then the discoms sell this 1 unit of electricity to commercial and industrial consumers at 8rs unit or say 9 rs and use this additional earned money to subsidies residential and agricultural consumers. This is the reason why farmers get electricity at 1rs per unit and residential at 3.5rs. Now it is obvious that the private players will cater to the commercial and industrial consumers because of high power consumption, prompt payers of dues, and they can easily give them electricity at a much cheaper rate as compared to state owned discoms. If the state owned discoms won't generate enough amt to cross subsidies residential and agricultural it will go more bankrupt or will have to stop subsidizing agricultural consumers and friend it will rise farmers electricity bill by 400%. These are not random numbers do check maths yourself and please educate others. And yes if you belong to elite 10% population of India it won't affect you as much but it's going to be a act in India having 35% population in lower middle class and they would surely suffer. Electricity is a essential service in today's time and no one can't live without it hence it should not be compared with telecom industry. Moreover privatisation has ended compitition in telecom industry now only two major companies survive and one is taking heavy losses. Now the prices of monthly pack has risen to 150 per month there is hardly any pack lower than this. But for extremely poor it is still a big deal but don't have any option. The tarrif can also rise more if only one company survives. Complete monopoly

[@Kamamura2]

Just look at Britain - public transport and energy production was privatized, and the results were horrible.

[@anuragbanerjee2879]

Cesc was always private in ccu… we need a competition bill

[@hj2711]

@@Kamamura2 it is way better than govt owned.

[@TheDonMan97]

@@Kamamura2 At least we get 24x7 power supply

[@JohnSmith-kw9vk]

Good reform. How long can India keep bleeding money for electricity losses incurred due to mismanagement by state governments?

[@praveensharma352]

After a very long time Shekhar Gupta has given a balanced analysis. Hope to see more of such impartial insights.

[@yogeshbabu9942]

Sir why only power is political? Anything in the interest of this country is political. When bjp was sitting in opposition it was very much constructive. These people destroyed and corrective measures not so easy. We all should support good work of govt in our interest long run

[@amartyaray]

This is a dream come true bill - for the pocket of the country! Let's hope, prepaid meters & full portability will (also) be allowed. Energy & power policy, like foreign policy, should have little to no state interference; especially since they failed to show enough maturity over the years. Fundamentally, everyone should be changed equally for equal service level; later, the poor may be benefited by direct cash transfer. Habitual poverty should be disincentivised.

[@GagandeepSingh-ns8sx]

I pay my electricity bills on time,why should I subsidise those who are not paying their bills or stealing electricity, thinking of going solar.

[@darshilmashru8479]

Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim still haven't unbundled their electricity boards/departments.

[@subins2000]

Kerala State Electricity Board is doing good on customer level, they have their debts yes but wouldn't want this good service to go away.

[@darshilmashru8479]

@@subins2000 It's still the Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd. doing all three functions (generation, transmission and distribution), instead of a separate KERGEDCO, KERTRANSCO and KERDISCOM.

[@subins2000]

@@darshilmashru8479 Yes, they're a single company for everything.

[@adityabhadoria02]

One of the best impartial channel . First one for which I'll pay on you tube. Shekhar ji & security expert are my favorites. Cut the clutter I watch daily 🙏👍

[@adityabhadoria02]

Welcome! It's great to have you as a member of this channel. Enjoy your access to exclusive perk.

[@MiMa-kk2yf]

We are so averse to changes. Lot of countries are moving to a deregulated market. Govt should facilitate and not be involved themselves. We till recent past were running airlines, banks, power, railways etc etc. Introduce private players. Competition improves everyone. Govt should be lighter.. We should have smart electric meters.

[@assertivekarma1909]

Subsidizing something like energy purchases for consumers is always a bad policy, it perverts behavior & decreases innovation. Natural resources should serve the needs of the country however, and aid for the people should be detached from a specific product or activity, especially problematic ones. Unfortunately bureaucratic administration is also a drain on resources, some competent balance is ideal.

[@pristinethroat8103]

Finally ,competition always leads to growth and quality just hope it's execution is well done .

[@AbhinavSharma-li8jb]

SG has been flawless in criticising CG and state govts run by the BJP. As a loyalist commarade SG didn't criticise AK at all. But this move from the CG will totally shut Kejri ki dukaan.

[@anoopbhakoo5353]

Past experience of Telecom, Airlines proves cheaper, better & corruption free services. Electricity should be minimal priced & quality 24 hr supply as proved wherever privatised. Go ahead! Very good move!!

[@tushars4038]

This is the saddest part of India. Power Discom losses r very huge in India, if India doesn't want to b next Sri Lanka, we have to get rid of losses. Unfortunately politicians aren't stopping. Just look at Kejriwal, everywhere he goes for election campaigning, he promises FREE electricity. This is equivalent to buying votes at the expense of INDIA"s growth. SC was right about subsidy judgement, i think giving FREEBIES & talking about religion should b banned from Politics.

[@jaswindersinghnarula4379]

Completely agree with you except that you should have had RELIGION in caps as well with FREEBIES! On a side note I like what Kejriwal is doing in Delhi except the Free electricity part. That is not feasible in long run. But he is at least doing a lot in making better government schools.

[@va8085]

History should remember this govt as the most reformist govt after the PV Narasimah Rao govt. But unfortunately, LeLi’s have already polluted the news with such a falsely created draconian image of this govt. No matter what they do, India is not going to stop now. As a great man once said, “With them, without them or despite them”

[@shivysg]

Arvind worries that his freebie politics will be gone, until he pays from his pocket the minimum

[@mr.y6053]

Great analysis,good content by The Print, we definitely like the quality of content. Thank you.

[@avradipparui8895]

If govt. Orgs not able to compete with pvt players..then what bussiness are they doing for such long time?

[@jackie8626]

Great, detailed, and objective analysis. Thank You! I hope this does not go down like the Farm Bill

[@independentnationalist1740]

They will need your support . Agitation is just postponed because it has been referred to committee . Congress and others are already spreading misinformation . It needs our support otherwise it goes like farm bill only . Misguided farmers will come again on Delhi borders and will be joined by all those non payers from Delhi and Punjab ....and so many others .

[@sachinkumar-rk9df]

@@independentnationalist1740 yeah i also thought that farm laws would not be repealed, this time time i will personally talk to as many people to support this Bill and raise their voice against anti nationals

[@gururprasad2278]

Many politicians have parked their I'll gotten money into renewable energy. Blaming Adani Or Ambani alone is incorrect.

[@jitendrachoubisajitendrach6745]

It's great to see objective journalism from print it is much better than ideological driven news give by both side of spectrum great work

[@sensiesama2713]

lmao he literally makes a video on How to defeat BJP every 6 months

[@rohitupadhya6449]

@@sensiesama2713 as he should be. India is not China.

[@sensiesama2713]

@@rohitupadhya6449 well he didn't make even one when Congress was in power, was he chinese back then?

[@rohitupadhya6449]

@@sensiesama2713 the Print KZbin channel was started in 2017.

[@sensiesama2713]

@@rohitupadhya6449 and when did SG start his journalism?

[@pikkka-pikkka]

Freebies and Subsidy are different. They are nowhere close to each other. Freebie: - Farmers will get free electricity. - Free travel for Women in buses. Subsidy: - Farmers have to only pay 1 Re per unit and line will get electricity for only 4 hours. Do your work in that. - Women will get monthly passes at subsidized rates and that can only be used on working days. In the later scenario govt can make tarriff changes based on situation of the finances of the state, but in the former no political party can come and start making people pay who are habitual of free.

[@KASKhan_]

Have you ever been in any country outside india you genius? Most 1st world countries have free public transportation including bhakts 2nd dad israel has also started it.

[@pikkka-pikkka]

@@KASKhan_ "1st World Countries" Do you even read before writing? Your comment has the answer to your question. Wow genius... Slow Claps. 👏👏 - We are not rich. - We are not handfull of people. - Our fertility rate is not the same as off Rich countries we need to invest on future plans more. - We don't have a wide coverage of tax payers So we need a self sustaining system first. Rich Europe countries are so rich they don't even grow their own food. Recent Ukraine Russia conflict exposed that too. If govts are collecting enough money to throw freebies they better stop collecting the extra. Let us keep our money in our bank we will earn the interest atleast.

[@rakshithac3520]

U will see the wrath when u decrese subsidies,. People dont want to pay more at any economicaly difficulty situation, they dont care if government has money or not

[@pikkka-pikkka]

@@rakshithac3520 Padai Likhai ki hai? Smajh nahi aaya my comment? And moreover masses are by default fools they want to live without paying anything and when their country goes into economic crisis they start ransacking govt institutions in the name of protests. We saw the same in Sri Lanka. People don't have a realisation that their existence, their money in the bank, their properties, life everything is just a number and that number is only valid as long as the country is stable.

[@rakshithac3520]

@@pikkka-pikkka i am sure i am more qualified than you. And did you get what iam saying? I said people once used to being subsidised. They will not be ready to give up under any circumstances. Freebies or subsidies everyone wants them but not ready to pay taxes, lol read it again if u can't understand

[@TheDonMan97]

Im from UK and this is very similar to what we have here. The government is responsible for generating the power and corporations can then, buy the power. You can then choose which company to buy it from. Yes, it does create a competition. But, the issue is at such a hard time like now, they are not prepared to subsidize the cost. Also, they have the freedom to increase the cost massively all of the sudden if they make a decision together (after all, all corporates want is bigger profit). This has caused a cost of living crisis here. But, from this bill, the minimum and maximum tariffs set by the state government should prevent such scenarios. It could be good if implemented properly. The government is awful handling the power...

[@jaydeepgadhavi5465]

Good analysis. Agreed to a far greater deal than the earlier CTC during coal shortages. Good that it's going to a standing committee. Hope it doesn't get shelved as the data protection bill got after going to JPC

[@ThePrintIndia]

Hi Jaydeep, Thanks for writing in.

[@prathammittal1959]

this bill is excellent for removing the debt of the distribution companies and in turn the companies like coal india whose payments are still pending might get paid and their books might become clean. Therefore it needs to get passed irrespective of state government wishes

[@sudipbhattacharjee9]

A very welcome step. Journalists like Shekhar Sir should give extra emphasis in widely discussing the issue of freebies. The Government should also make efforts to further sensitize people regarding ill effects of freebies and corporates and various tax payer association etc can also play a part. Welfarism and freebies should be clearly defined and freebies discouraged by various laws, institutions, checks etc.

[@devilsadvocate4864]

Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution should be run like ‘regulated’ businesses. Any subsidies should be transferred by the government(s) directly to the individual/business. Do not make the DisCom pick up the bill for your (government’s) generosity.

[@priyamawasthi6254]

I think that since nearly 50% of all tax revenue in India is from indirect taxes, it's not that only the rich who are burdened by subsidies! It is the poor almost as much! In this light, freebies are like putting something in the right pocket of a poor fellow and taking it out from the left and his vote!

[@rajgul3690]

From the left pocket of the poor, things were always going out, now some minor rewadis come in. So aap Chronology ko ulta karen please. Ja to hamesha se raha tha, kabhi kabhi thoda sa wapis aata Hai

[@0609Bhuwan]

Mate .. you do know of the 0 rated band of GST ?? more than 50% of Indians consume almost nothing that has GST.. They dont even use petrol besides they get most of their bare essentials for almost free [ e.g. food ] .. GST being consumption based is paid by those people who should be paying Income Tax but EVADE.. Like big farmers and shopkeepers, traders etc.... [the salaried middle class sadly gets screwed paying both] In the end taking from the rich to distribute to the poor has never made and rich man poorer or the poor richer anywhere in the world.. Specially if the "benevolent sarkar" starts to redistribute more than it earns by borrowing money .. e.g. Sri Lanka and and soon Pakistan

[@RandomMusingsOfLowMelanin]

A time is coming when we will be buying power through apps. We will have power plans just like our internet plans. Get ready to tell the next generation story of how govt controlled power distribution etc.

[@MinhajAhmedAnsari]

Well intended reform, and thankfully not being pushed down the throat of states. A thorough review by Parliamentary standing committee is must. We mustn't create a new mess in the process of escaping another.

[@himanshushah2007]

Power situation is very good in Gujarat. Niether there are power failures nor voltage fluctuations. Bill payments have been digitised and even in the past, it was never very difficult. Rooftop solar installation has been taken in a big way. Please note that I am niether a bjp supporter not a congress !

[@pikkka-pikkka]

How come only BJP manages to come up with long term plans be it ABV or NAMO and a lobby still want us to keep the opposition alive. Such political parties with only short term gains (that too for themselves) in their mind should be burried alive.

[@narayanan5804]

Free power should be STOPPED for ALL. No illegal tapping . All connections should be metered

[@pradeei.g7478]

I remember SG telling in one of the CTC if a state govt or central govt is giving freebies it is at the cost of their children and grandchildren. It is true. Not only that but they also get freebies at the cost of other states who are paying their bills and taxes too.

[@shubhamsagade497]

In short, state politicians who are in opposition to NDA wanted to survive there politics in front of Modi by giving free or subsidised electricity on behalf of increasing debt on state treasury but Modi don't want to happen this and kejriwal like people crying. simple,clutter of the clutter 😂

[@anamikasharma537]

Beautifully described as usual. Free power , free anything, is bad for everyone. Thank you for this talk.

[@RavitejaManepalliSK]

Whether left or right... we need to support narendra modi on this, 14 billion is not a small amount, it amounts to external debt of a country

[@whatsnew3793]

My only dislike in the bill is to buy a certain amount of power from renewable sources. It will be expensive for consumers.

[@PB-hf9of]

Discoms will provide infrastructure, but supplier will be a new entity where the competition will be introduced, many part of US is following the same model.

[@yashwanthbk5253]

Need of the hour. But, It may end up like another farm bill. SC should officially ban freebies because neither centre nor states have the will or support to do so.

[@sudarshantalahallinarasing7905]

Definitely power generation or distribution need to be run like a full fledged company. What ever subsidy that govt has to give let them take the route of direct fund transfer that is currently being used for few govt schemes. Shekar Sir, I really like the way you de-clutter things.

[@dynamicquality]

Market-driven power distribution will work only if we have a strong independent regulator who can crack the whip to protect consumer interests. Plus, guarantees are needed that govt will NOT protect or bail out the private companies that might go bankrupt due to their own decisions. Bringing private players is reform, giving those players a blank cheque is selling out.

[@0609Bhuwan]

Do you still use a BSNL phone ?? Because of free markets & reforms we today have one of the lowest telco tariffs in the world... and as a result a huge digital economy Can you imagine a Zomato, Uber, Flipkart or UPI with BSNL ?? Of course private companies will try to maximise profits and some regulation is necessary against cartalisation etc [ like in telecom ] but the best way to ensure consumer interest is to let free competition specially in case of commodity utilities like electricity... If you are really interested then do look at how countries similar to India manage power distribution eg. Indonesia, South Africa or Brazil ... Frankly in India, consumer electric distribution is in shambles TBH

[@tanmayasahu5171]

bro it seems you dont understand economics

[@AK-yw9qs]

Lack of competition always bad for consumers, competition not only improves the quality, reduces the cost too. Telecommunications and airlines are example we used to pay 50 times the of present prices. Now ever one owns a mobile with unimaginable features in 90's and and most of us fly. Market driven economy always gives better results then Gov't controlled. This has been proved from times immemorial.

[@subyjerrin5837]

No freebies for anyone. That's awesome. Hope they could fully implement it.

[@saumyadityabose]

Next critical reform is water. Must be converted to a consumer good ASAP. Long term, all PSUs should be privatized+opened to market forces. Perform or perish. No freebies. Hope we Indians understand the difference between being frogs in a well and establishing proper checks and balances. Under the current global VUCA geopolitical+econ scenario, we have to shed all inefficiencies, at a prudent but urgent pace.

[@alappuzha9]

I am happy to be a subscriber of print. Decluttered and added value to the NEWS. I work in association with power sector and know how dirty is now this sector. No state govt is bothered to pay bills and every day they add freebie killing each discoms. And beg to differ on Thomas Issac, he is not that great visionary and Kerala under his rule has the worst performance on fiscal deficits. Like all other communists, he just pretends to be a think tank that's all. I pray let this bill come and stay unlike farm law which were the best for India. If power sector pricing are not calibrated against its market forces then we will see another crisis in a decade. Green power is something which whole world is vouched for the sustenance of this planet for which India cant be an exception. Freebies has to stop and merit based subsidy has to come for India not to become like Srilanka. No food is served Free.

[@ThePrintIndia]

Hi, Thanks for writing in.

[@MiMa-kk2yf]

Also, in places where we get avg sun shine for about 250+ days, slowly, solar panels should be mandatory.

[@kallachi729]

SG a good presentation. But tell me which bill presented by the Government (except increasing MP salary etc.) is without vehement opposition from thee “opposition”? Basic… this (including comments by “experts”) is all about power and not really about power. Tailpiece: mindless Subsidies and freebies (offered by political parties and underwritten by tax payers )are pulling the economy down…especially the distribution of power for power!!!! If I may.

[@vijaykumarbhatt4577]

SG let's get stait ,in gujrat even rural areas having 24 hr electricity. Keep fact check.

[@lakshmikeshavan9343]

Listening to this talk about India's problems with power, it appears the central government has limited power to veto the objections raised by state governments which are not mainly interested in being fair to their citizens by treating them in a way such as, people who use more than minimum quota will pay a higher price for the extra needed over and above the minimum quota, and renewables as well as Nuclear power (Which is built away from residential places) and ensuring safeguards are in place for the nuclear power plant to operate safely and efficiently.This will prove far more climate friendly with no carbon emission. This also will ensure that India doesn't suffer from various calamities such as flooding, fire damages and Himalaya"s snow melting creating tragic deaths as well as other other problems such as flooding in the long term. All these need to be taken up in schools; and prepare our students with knowledge so that our future generation will run the country in the most rational manner imbibed with patriotism and pride in their country. Is this a pipe dream or can the above happen in India?

[@yoppindia]

I am for open access, as i don't have to pay bribes to engineer babus for power connection and services. Hope they implement it faithfully. But my expectations are low.

[@chellappan1632]

Power produced and supplied to DISCOMs by private players have proved to be generally costlier than that by the NTPC. That is because the input cost of equipments and fuel are over invoiced especially when they are sourced from abroad. Electricity Regulators overlook this factor while scrutinising Power Purchase Agreements. Unfortunately, journalists who have exposed specific corruptions indulged in by big players in reputed journals have lost their jobs.

[@jyatimali2033]

Great program. Really decluttered the power game of the politicians

[@surendradamania9881]

Today in India those who do not pay taxes at all being at or below poverty line get maximum subsidies n benefits These are in majority as only 4-5 of India’s population pay taxes Therefore our electoral laws n system need review and changes so also tax laws Taxation should be on family basis as there are crores of families having large families whose joint n collective incomes from all family members exceed above taxable limit Secondly our voting which is on adult franchise should be discontinued as non tax payers have no right to vote as these categories vote for those who give maximum freebies The culture of declaring freebies should be stopped as it is construed as bribes to those who do not pay tax Electoral age must be increased to at least 25 years as they are matured and earning member and paying tax Lastly our taxation system should initiate from 2.50% to increase the tax base and these categories need not file ITR and the amount to be debited from their salary This proposal will increase the tax base n government will have more funds for rapid progressive development of infrastructure Freebies has zero value and politicians are inculcating bad practices

[@ak-eb9xw]

It's very simple... cities will get multiple distributer, and rural areas by state distributers...and there should be prepaid option..based on earlier consumption

[@KumarK-xn5go]

India shud double the MSP for farm produce and parallely do away with various farm subsidies. This so called Socialistic model which provides subsidy culture makes politicians and bureaucrats think that they r doing farmers a big favour. On the other hand electricity generated from solar power shud be increased to an extent where electricity generation becomes cheap enough and therefore affordable to the masses. Distribution losses shud be cut to bare minimum. Collections shud be maximized.

[@pinayxindia5883]

We can have ideological differences with current govt. But we must not deny the important nation building reforms. In recent times we see India divided between blind supports and blind opposers. We need to see the grey area. Withdrawal of Farm Laws was unfortunate event. It was shameful for a govt like Modi govt to take it back. India needs to do necessary reforms at any cost. Otherwise we'll never be able to compete countries like China who have a strong authoritarian govt. with easy implementation of reforms.

[@indranuj38]

Sir I was so eagerly waiting for this...thank you

[@GagandeepSingh-ns8sx]

This is a very good bill, if they dont go ahead with it then will definitely vote NOTA. 😤

[@vinayrvarma]

@Shekhar Gupta, @ThePrint 18:44 didn’t know Kerala had its own foreign minister. Now makes sense why all this scams are happening with UAE. So is Dr. KT Jaleel MOS foreign of Kerala. He did send a mail to UAE govt. asking to ban Madhyamam paper in UAE.

[@sus10651]

What costs to produce, should not be sold for free. Some subsidies are okay but never for free to anyone.

[@sharduljoshi769]

@SG, Can you also mention your view on this law like you did for Farmer's Law. Is it good for consumers or our Electricity Economics

[@nagesharas5136]

This is a catch 22 situation, because the bill seeks to stop the revdi culture, which the politicians don't want to give up. So they would block it with various excuses. While we wait for a consensus, the time is running out. Srilanka and Pakistan have crisis situation today only because of their governments took similar populist steps. Therefore, to handle such situations, we should first develop a set of principles, which the opposers cannot reject. Also, the objectors must be made to come up with alternatives, rather than simply rejecting any proposal. (The opposition is supposed to give constructive suggestions, not block whatever the government proposes.) For example, 1. voters should not be given extra privilege so that their bills are paid by other sections of society. 2. Introduce the concept of bankruptcy for cities and states. 3. Any freebies planned by a city/state must be subject to its accumulated debt (margin to bankruptcy) A deficit budget must not be acceptable. (e.g. the states of Delhi and Punjab cannot afford to offer any freebies because they are already bankrupt)