Committee recommendations extend various benefits to power sector
ALLOWING free trade of electricity on open market principles, providing 100 per cent tax benefits to debt investments in power projects, asking insurance companies to provide guarantee covers for speedy closure of power projects, besides extending the tax and duty benefits available for mega power projects to all power projects, are some of the important recommendations made by the inter-disciplinary group appointed by the power ministry.

Ministry to fix norms for Railways electrification
YEARS after questions were being raised about the feasibility of having an electrification drive in the Indian Railways, the ministry of railways has finally decided to conduct an independent study for fixing norms for electrification projects.

Maharashtra unable to bear monthly charge from Januray 2002; needs only 300 MW from DPC
THE Maharashtra government, which has decided to fight legal battle with the Dabhol Power Company (DPC), made it categorically clear to the Centre on Monday that the Dabhol project cannot be sustained by it and the state would not currently require its power except for 300 MW.

DPC appoints two new board members
THE DPC which is set to issue a termination notice to the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) for continuing default in the payment of bills, proposes to appoint Mr Robert H Wall Jr and Mr Bruce D Lundstrom as shareholder directors on its board. With these appointments, the strength of the DPC board of directors would be increased at 11 from the present 10.

Ombudsmen, insurers at odds over personal lines
A quiet tussle is on over the type of cases that insurance ombudsmen ought to adjudicate. Insurance companies are contending that ombudsmen should confine themselves to cases dealing with personal lines alone.