India: 6 SEBs spend Rs 4,014 cr on free, subsidised power

Anil Sasi
New Delhi , March 15

Punjab, TN, AP agricultural consumers main beneficiaries.

Even as the financial condition of the power sector of States gets bad to worse, the profligacy of the State Electricity Boards (SEBs) continue at the expense of the taxpayer.

Six SEBs that are offering free or subsidised power to consumers, mainly to the agricultural sector users, spend a whopping Rs 4,014 crore annually to supply under-cost power supply schemes with minimal returns, according to data compiled by the Power Ministry.