Previous govts in Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan blamed for power crisis

NEW DELHI: Centre today blamed the "wrong policies" of previous governments in Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan for the poor state of affairs in the state electricity boards.

The previous governments of these states should be held responsible for the troubles being faced in the power sector, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

Responding to supplementaries, he said the new governments in Haryana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been facing constraints in the power sector, with the state electricity boards incurring losses.

He said the state electricity regulatory commissions have the power to institute system of independent scrutiny of finances of distribution companies.

He said as power is a state subject, the Centre can "indirectly" encourage state governments in this regard.

The minister said half of the loan extended to states for the power sector could be converted into grants, if the states reduce transmission losses and pay subsidies to discoms upfront.