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Haryana Congress's about turn -- opposes reform of power

In a major reversal of policy, the Haryana Congress on Tuesday announced its decision to oppose the World Bank-aided reforms and restructuring of the power sector in the state.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the newly-constituted executive committee, office bearers, and district party presidents which was presided over by party chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Briefing newsmen, Hooda said the issue of World Bank-supported restructuring of the power sector was debated at the meeting and the party had decided to oppose it since there was no transparency about fate of consumers, farmers, and employees of the state electricity board.

It was during the Congress regime led by the then chief minister Bhajan Lal that the state had decided to restructure the power sector, gradually allowing privatisation as desired by the World Bank, which agreed to extend direct financial help for the project.

Rajya Sabha member and former power minister Shamsher Singh Surjewala, who was also present at the briefing, intervened to say that the party would totally oppose the programme since the party leadership had not been taken into confidence.

However, Hooda said unless there was transparency in reforms and restructuring, the Congress would totally oppose the move, particularly privatisation.

"We were totally committed to providing free power to farmers on the Punjab pattern which could not be possible if privatisation was introduced. Simultaneously, unless we know about the fate of employees, we will continue to oppose the project," said Hooda.

UNI