Electricity Amendment Bill to Boost Power Sector Efficiency, Ensure Consumer Welfare

• India to table the Electricity Amendment Bill in the upcoming budget session to enhance power sector efficiency.
• The Bill mandates cost-reflective tariffs, empowers Commissions, and allows states to continue subsidies for priority consumers.
• It aims to reduce cross-subsidies, empower SERCs to exempt discoms for large consumers, and promote non-fossil energy use.
• Provisions include better service delivery, reduced burdens, and strengthening regulatory governance through APTEL expansion and network sharing.
• An Electricity Council will be established for cooperative federalism; compensation for farmers for land use is also addressed.

Why It Matters: The Electricity Amendment Bill seeks to reform India's power sector for efficiency, consumer welfare, and green energy.