RSS  |  Samvad  |  Vital Infotech Ltd.

October     Last updated: October 14: 7:00 p.m.

Comprehensive Energy Policy needed —Jayawantiben Mehta

Minister of State for Engery, Smt Jayawantiben Mehta has sought people's cooperation to bridge the growing gap between demand and supply of electricity. "Everyone needs to understand the importance of electricity and ensure his contribution to stop misuse of power at every level", she said. In an interview to Rani Sharma of Organiser Smt Mehta asserted that the NDA Government was making all efforts to ensure electricity in each and every Indian home. She also emphasised the need to formulate a comprehensive Energy Policy to meet the demands of power sector. Excerpts.

How do you feel as a Minister of State for Energy?

When I was given the assignment of Minister of State for Energy I felt that the message I got so far from Nature, has crystallised. I feel it is a good chance to serve, as I believe woman herself is energy personified. And that is life energy. It is a happy coincidence that I have been given the responsibility to work in the energy field. What is the situation of electricity generation in the country? In 1947, the total electricity production was 1350 MW which has today grown up to 97,000 MW. Our per capita electricity consumption is 347 kw/hr—compare this to Norway's 23,487 kw/hr, USA's 11,796 kw/hr, China's 687 kw/hr, and Korea's 4,453 kw/hr. In India there is a big gap between demand and supply. After Independence, electricity development was linked with social and economic progress and it was felt that electricity should reach the villages in the interior and factories and manufacturing units. The NDA government has decided that hydro-electricity and thermal electricity will be produced in the 40:60 ratio. In our country, the loss of electricity during transmission is about 21 per cent. That needs to be reduced at any cost. In Japan and the USA, this figure is 7-8 per cent. Subsidy is the other major factor of loss in power sector.

How do you plan to tackle the problem of growing demand of electricity?

To meet the increasing demand, we must, in the coming years, build a capability of producing one lakh MW. We will have to function four times faster. Side by side we will have to take care of proper utilisation and management. New sources will have to be tapped. Especially, concentration will be on hydro-electricity. Atomic energy and solar energy should also find a place. A comprehensive Energy Policy has also to be formulated. Indeed, the Government needs people's cooperation to bridge the growing gap between demand and supply of electricity. People need to understand the importance of electricity and make efforts to stop misuse of power at all levels.

What are your future plans? It is our effort to reach electricity to every Indian home and to give solid support to projects of economic development. With the utilisation of available resources, we are making arduous efforts to produce maximum possible energy to make India one of the brightest nations of the world. In future will it be traditional sources or new sources of harnessing energy? After much deliberation, now we have given special attention to hydro-electricity and solar energy. We have ample natural resources; the need is for proper utilisation and being eco-friendly.