Thursday, February 9 2006 15:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Evolving a consensus on the contentious issue of free electricity, checking power thefts and preparing a business plan for commercial revival of the power sector will be high on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's agenda when he meets state chief ministers, finance ministers and power ministers on February 13.

The conference, convened by Singh himself, would also look at other key issues such as ultra mega power plants, execution of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana and assess preparation of states for meeting 11th plan targets.

Notably, Singh has time and again admitted that progress in this crucial infrastructure sector has been far from satisfactory and it would require a concerted effort on the part of both the Centre and all states to expedite reforms.

According to the 14-point agenda prepared by the Power Ministry, the meeting would seek states' cooperation in hydro development. It would also consider state-level transmission, private participation in capacity addition and Implementation of Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme.

The meeting, in which regulators and central level officials would also take part, would aim at preparing a action plan for energy conservation.

Besides, it would discuss ways and means to facilitate open access in distribution for giving consumers the choice of selecting their electricity suppliers.

Encouraging captive generation capacity, harnessing surplus captive generation to grid and demand by certain states for free power from pit head based stations are other issues that would be considered during the meeting.