Govt may table Electricity (Amendment) Bill in Budget session
Power Minister Manohar Lal said that the Union government may introduce the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is aimed at opening up the power distribution sector, in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament.
The government wants to ensure zero discom losses with the latest amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the upcoming session, he said on the sidelines of the inauguration of IIT-Delhi-CERC-Grid India Centre of Excellence.
In October last year, the Power Ministry released the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for public feedback, which was followed by criticism from Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and power employees’ federations attacking the Bill as an attempt to allow backdoor entry of private players and an assault on the federal character of the Constitution.
Following protests last year, the Ministry issued FAQs (frequently asked questions) emphasising that it is a progressive reform aimed at strengthening the power distribution sector through financial discipline, healthy competition and enhanced efficiency.
“The Bill encourages healthy competition between the government and private discoms in electricity supply under the supervision of SERCs. This will mean better service, greater efficiency, and real choice for consumers,” it added.