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Our Bureau

Hyderabad, Feb. 4

THE new Union Minister for Power, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, feels free power is okay if the State finances permit. "However, I don't propose free power, but would rather go by the national policy and what the Prime Minister lays down."

Mr Shinde told newspersons that free power throughout the country was just not possible. If a State was sound fiscally, there was no harm if it helped the agriculture sector through free power, he added.

In Maharastra, a condition was imposed that free power would be provided only for those who had a meter. This would keep things under check. Asked about the Andhra Government's free power policy, Mr Shinde said "I am happy with the way Andhra Pradesh is handling free power. It has implemented reforms in the power sector and its financial position is good, therefore it is working".

Referring to the upcoming meeting of the State Chief Ministers and Power Ministers on February 13, to be addressed by the Prime Minister, Mr Shinde said the agenda included reforms, mega power projects, gas linkages etc. Free power was definitely not on the agenda.

Recalling his near 15-month tenure in the Raj Bhavan here, Mr Shinde said Andhra Pradesh was among the fastest developing states. IT, tourism, hotel, infrastructure sectors were attracting several foreign players. "

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