Eastern states power summit at Ranchi

Mecon Ltd will be hosting a seminar to discuss the Electricity Act 2003. Called 'National convention on power development', it has been organized at Indian Institute of Coal Management.

Arjun Munda, chief minister of Jharkhand, will inaugurate the meeting and Lal Chand Mahto, minister of energy and chairman of Tenughat Vidyut Nigam Ltd, will be the chief guest.

A delegation from ministry of power, government of India, led by R V Shahi, secretary, will attend. Shahi will deliver the keynote address on initiatives being taken by ministry of power in generation, transmission and distribution.

The central ministry of power, Jharkhand government, Jharkhand State Electricity Board, Institution of Engineers, Institute of Indian Foundrymen and SBI Capital Markets have sponsored the seminar.

A workshop of eastern region states will follow, on the upcoming national rural electrification policies.

The discussion paper of the draft policies has been posted on the website of ministry of power at 'www.power min.nic.in'.

The workshop will discuss national policy on standalone system for rural areas and non-conventional energy system and national policy on electrification and local distribution in rural areas. Neighbouring states like West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa will participate.