Centre would soon find other means to financially assist Orissa under Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP), Union Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh said in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Ramesh told this to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik when asked about the Centre's stand on release of funds under APDRP to the state.
However, he said he was personally against giving money to private companies for upgrading distribution network.
"Orissa and Delhi would not get funds under APDRP for upgrading system because the two states had privatised distribution work," he said.
While the Centre had earmarked Rs 50,000 crore to be distributed among the states for upgrading power distribution systems under the 11th plan period, Orissa and Delhi were deprived of the benefits.
Patnaik had earlier written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to consider Orissa's case as the state government still holds 49 per cent of stake in private distribution companies.
However, as Orissa did not fit into the scheme it was deprived of the financial asistance, Ramesh said, adding that the Centre would soon chalk out a strategy on how to benefit the state under the APDRP.
{{/usCountry}}However, as Orissa did not fit into the scheme it was deprived of the financial asistance, Ramesh said, adding that the Centre would soon chalk out a strategy on how to benefit the state under the APDRP.
{{/usCountry}}Opposing the norms in APDRP, state Energy Minister SN Patro had also threatened to take the matter to Supreme Court, if the state was denied APDRP benefits.