The Maharashtra State Government has allowed Reliance
Industries to sell power from its 447 MW Patalganga power project, to power
utilities in and outside the State, other than Maharashtra State Electricity
Board. This is in spite the fact, that the project does not enjoy a mega power project
status. This status is usually given to projects that have a minimum capacity of
1,000 MW.
Normally, only independent power
producers, whose projects enjoy a mega power project status can sell power to third
parties; all other IPPs are allowed to sell power only to state electricity
boards only.
It may be mentioned that the Patalganga power project
and Ispat’s 1,082 MW Bhadravati power project have been put on hold till the Godbole
committee (set up to resolve the Dabhol power project crisis) submits the second
part of its report.