Publication: West Bengal Power Sector Reforms : Lessons Learnt and Unfinished Agenda
Date
2009-05
ISSN
Published
2009-05
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
The West Bengal experience of reforms in
power sector provides key learning on the sequencing, design
and implementation of reforms program. The smooth
restructuring of the power sector in West Bengal,
characterized by a vibrant civil society, unionized and
influential public sector workforce, political sensitivity
towards Central Governments reform program is a significant
achievement and holds out important lessons for future. This
paper compares power sector reforms in West Bengal with
other states in India and attempts to highlight the positive
factors, which could be considered for future reform
processes in the country. It also takes a critical look at
some areas where West Bengal could have done better and also
attempts to identify areas which would require greater focus
in the subsequent phases to achieve the overall objectives
of the reform and restructuring process. West Bengal had an
advantage of learning from the reform and restructuring
experience in other 11 states which preceded it and adopted
measures to better guide the process and try to overcome the
issues which led to shortfalls in achieving certain reforms
and restructuring objectives in these states. The
learning's from the other states helped State
Government in adopting a phased approach with extensive
stakeholder consultations to restructuring of state power
sector entities. The State Government also has an unfinished
agenda of initiating internal reforms and governance
improvement measures in the generation company.
Citation
“World Bank. 2009. West Bengal Power Sector Reforms : Lessons Learnt and Unfinished Agenda. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/3af10ceb-80e4-50a6-b44e-8ef1d2d10a7e License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”