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the mandarin

Thus spake the Mandarin

Mr. Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister, Power, Public Enterprises, Industry & Commerce -Govt. of Assam

Mr. Bordoloi is the Mandarin in the seat of power at a very crucial juncture & what is important is that the very determinant issues of industry, commerce & power are being tackled by him. If he succeeds, Assam would be definitely smiling. So we approached him to know the fate that awaits our future.
 

?? How do you rate your job as a power minister of Assam specially when  you have inherited a rickety power delivery system ?

As a Power Minister inheriting a grossly inadequate power delivery system in the state is like getting to touch the dirty end of the walking stick. Actually the Assam agitation and following two decades of its aftermath deprived our state of an advanced planning from the political leadership about the need to rebuild a vintage power delivery system which was essentially put up in Assam in the 60’s and early 70’s.

 ?? What do you propose to do in next three year ?

Extensive power reform measures are already initiated to augment and modernize the  transmission and distribution network whose combined carrying capacity was barely 500 mw prior to 2004. This carrying capacity is now being enhanced to 1500 mw by 2010. Similarly generation capacity increase is being given top most priority by throwing open the entire power generation sector for private investments. Along with all these a new benchmark for servicing the consumers is being created by breaking the monopoly of the ASEB monolith and its sulking ‘government’ work culture.

?? How do you visualize the power scenario ten years from now?

Assam’s demand for power has actually been suppressed all these years. We were unable to meet the demand of the industry and consumers because of inadequate and inefficient system constraints. Moreover ASEB deliberately avoided reaching out to the rural areas for fear of incurring losses. Even now only 17% of our rural households are electrically connected- what a shame ! That is why Assam has to invest maximum in the power sector to take care of the fast paced demand for electricity. Our peak hour demand for electricity is going to increase more than double in just six years from now !