End of Kesco by mid-April?

KANPUR: Though there is no official confirmation of the handing over of the Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (Kesco) to the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), rumour mills are working overtime and there is every possibility of the company finally going to the NTPC’s kitty just after a meeting of the state cabinet to be held in Lucknow on April 14.
The NTPC may also take over the 284 MV Panki unit.
Sources in the power department claimed that the NTPC had expressed willingness to take over the Kesco’s distribution system along with the Panki unit. Kesco officials will govern the distribution as well as the generation process from the Panki power station.
The corporation has also chalked out a master plan to reduce the staggering line losses and increase revenue collection in the city.
A senior power official claimed that the government had decided to issue Rs 282.20 crore loan to the Kesco. However, the loan would be released only after the Kesco’s take over by the NTPC enabling the latter to utilise the money as per its priorities.