Takes it to task for lands allotted to undertakings lying idle over years, also for lack of maintaining data base

The Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) has rapped the Maharashtra government for lack of a mechanism to carry out a periodic review of the lands allotted to Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and other state undertakings. Such a mechanism, according to the CAG, was necessary to ensure that land not required by these undertakings would be available to the government for other welfare measures.

Reports by the experts’ panel, came in handy for the Tamil Nadu government to give its approval for the Kudankulam nuclear power project downstate, it is learnt. The expert groups of both the central and state governments observed the proposed 2,000-Mw endeavour met current safety standards.

Besides, officials say, rising power deficit also forced the J Jayalalithaa government to rethink its policy on Kudankulam. Tamil Nadu is reeling under power shortfall, recently prompting its government to seek the Centre’s intervention to overcome the crisis.

Committee fears more textile mills, importing nations may switch to polyester

India’s recent flipflop over a ban on cotton exports has created uncertainty in the market, according to countries that produce, trade and consume the item. The twin development could, in the long term, encourage more textile mills around the world, especially in importing countries, to switch to polyester where supplies are more stable, says the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)

The Maharashtra government is examining issues relating to the implementation of uniform power rate in Mumbai. This was triggered by a report prepared by Price waterhouse Coopers (PwC) given to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had recently announced the state was keen to introduce a uniform rate, as prevalent in Delhi. The announcement came during the recent civic body elections, where he also stated the government would take the necessary decision after looking into pertinent administrative, legal and regulatory issues.

The Maharashtra government has sought the Centre’s intervention to get adequate coal supply from Coal India subsidiaries and Singareni Collieries.

What state-run Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) gets since November last year is 18 to 20 rakes a day — as against the daily domestic coal requirement of 24 rakes. The deficit from Western Coalfields is affecting the generation of the thermal generation plant with a capacity of 6,480 Mw. Mahagenco is losing daily generation of 1,000 Mw for want of coal.

The Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) has stepped up its plan to reachout to villagers in the vicinity of the upcoming Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu, in a bid to remove their misunderstandings and explain to them the safety features of the proposed 2,000-Mw plant.

A similar drive has been launched at the 20 nuclear plants across the country, NPC executive director N Nagaich said on Friday. Apart from meeting villagers individually, the state-run corporation lays emphasis on organising plant visits, holding scientific meetings and interactive sessions.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed capital cost of Rs 5.75 crore per Mw for wind energy projects. The proposal is a part of the regulations the commission released recently and will be used to determine tariff of renewable energy for 2012-17.

The power regulator has proposed a loan tenure of 12 years for determination of tariff, annual depreciation rate of 5.83 per cent for the first 12 years of the tariff period and the rest of the depreciation to be spread over the remaining useful life of the project from the 13th year.

In a bid to give a much needed boost to distribution reforms, the power ministry has launched an ambitious action plan.

It will revise Case I and Case II standard bid documents (SBDs), introduce a rating methodology of utilities to enable them get loans, provide a reform-linked interest subsidy to utilities and promote distribution franchises to reduce aggregate transmission and commercial (AT&C) losses.

The Karnataka government has invoked Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, prohibiting the open access and sale of exportable power by generators outside the state.

The fate of the Rs 5,000-crore Worli-Haji Ali sea link now lies with the Maharashtra government.

A joint technical committee had last week strongly recommended construction of a coastal road between south and north Mumbai. The Rs 9,000-crore coastal road can make a Worli-Haji Ali sea link redundant.

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