Budget Measures 6 power projects brought to financial closure in last one year and another 10 projects are likely to reach financial closure soon. Financial institutions like IDFC, ICICI Bank, SBI, LIC, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank will form an Inter-Institutional Group (IIG) where in, they will pool resources to the tune of Rs 400 bn, which will be made available to infrastructure projects as and when needed. Government to provide equity support of around Rs 142 bn and loans worth Rs 21 bn to central public sector enterprises including power. Tax benefit under Section 80 IA extended to projects undertaken during the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006. Basic necessities like power to be made available to everyone. 2% education cess on all taxes.  Budget Impact India is largely a power deficient country and we need to add around 10,000 MW power generation capacity to match the demand supply gap. With the new projects coming to financial closure, the demand supply gap in the power sector in likely to narrow down. With the new Rs 400-bn pool among the financial institutions, credit availability will not be a problem for upcoming power projects. Not only public sector enterprises but also private sector companies will be motivated to invest. Government's equity participation and aid to power as well as other public sector infrastructure units will help in restructuring of the weaker units. The tax benefits are likely to draw higher investment in the sector by both private as well as public companies. Since the government has provided a time limit, the investments will come at a faster rate.  Sector Outlook Electricity Act 2003 proposed significant policy decisions that could reform the Indian power sector over the long term. Licensing norms for entering generation and T&D business of power have been eased. The government plans to add 150,000 MW of generation capacity by 2017 (including 100,000 MW thermal capacity and 50,000 MW hydro capacity) in order to bridge the current demand-supply gap. This is almost 1.5x current capacity. In this budget, the government has laid a lot of stress on increasing the power generation capacity. To that extent, on overall basis, the outlook on the sector remains positive.  Industry Wish List Tax on dividend for power companies to be removed, as it is not the pass through. Since companies have post tax 16% return guarantee, dividend tax is extra burden on companies. All infrastructure projects should be granted tax exemption for first 20 years. Not even MAT should be levied. Custom duty on fuel and equipments should be removed because fuel cost being a pass through, increases the power tariffs. This beats the main aim of power generation companies. CII has recommended implementation of N K Singh committee report for fiscal reforms in the power sector to continue.  Budget over the years Budget 2001-02 Budget 2002-03 Budget 2003-04 10-year tax holiday for investments in infrastructure continues. For investments made prior to March 2003, the tax holiday is applicable on retrospective basis. There was also mention of increasing user charges for services provided by the government. But there is no clarity on that An accelerated rural electrification program with an outlay of Rs 1.6 bn was provided. APDRP outlay enhanced to Rs 35 bn (from Rs 15 bn earlier). The focus of reform has shifted from generation to transmission and distribution. Setting up of an infrastructure equity fund of Rs 10 bn to provide equity investment for infrastructure projects. For development of the power infrastructure, the FM announced that mega power status would now be given to all power projects meeting the existing norms. Customs duty reduced on high voltage equipments from 25% to 5%. Import of capital goods relating to water treatment exempt from duties.
Key Positives In order to plug the existing demand supply gap, India has plans to add nearly 150,000 MW capacity over the next decade. So demand growth is not a constraint. But adding capacity has various limitations. If government is willing, investment in the power sector could grow at a faster rate. The Electricity Act 2003 provides great opportunity for power companies, given its abolishment of various licensing norms, liberalisation on the power distribution side business and opening of power trading for private power companies continues to be a big positive. Provision for unbundling of power generation, transmission & distribution companies has been laid. This will result in reducing T&D losses, as incentives to these private players are directly linked to reduction in T&D losses. Passage of the Securitisation Act was another major development, as power companies will be able to pursue their expansion plans with ease.		Key Negatives With the allies of the newly formed government demanding changes to some of provisions of the Electricity Act 2003, the reform process may be delayed. The T&D losses, which are still on the higher side, results in lower effective realisation of per unit of power produced by generation companies. Poor T&D infrastructure remains a cause of concern. It is due to the poor T&D infrastructure and few other factors, the losses are on the higher side as compared to other countries. As a result, the industry is able to deliver much than its actual potential. This in turn has also affected the ability of players to reinvest in the sector. Poor financial health of SEBs continues to be cause of concern. Though some measures have been taken to address this issue but the measures have been half backed. Inability to take hard decisions has been impacting industry fortunes.

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