West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi over Electricity (Amendment) Bill

She said she was writing to "re-lodge" her protest against the government move to bring the Bill in the Parliament.

"I write this letter to re-lodge my protest against the Union Government's fresh move to place the much-criticised Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, in Parliament. It was proposed to be moved last year, but many of us had underlined the anti-people aspects of the draft legislation, and at least I had detailed out all the salient pitfalls of the Bill in a letter to you on June 12, 2020," she said.

Banerjee had written to the Prime Minister on June 12, 2020, expressing outrage over the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020.

She said since electricity is in the Concurrent list, consultations with State governments should be held which is missing in the case of this Bill.

She said this legislation will reduce the role of state public utility bodies, enhance the role of private corporate bodies, curtail authority of the state governments.

"I am stunned to hear that the Bill is coming back without any consideration for our reservations, and in fact with some grave anti-people features this time," she added.

Government listed the Electricity (Amendment) Bill along with other bills in the Monsoon Session according to a bulletin issued by Lok Sabha.

The Bill entails de-licensing of the distribution business and bringing in competition, appointment of members from law background in every Commission, strengthening of APTEL, penalty for non compliance of RPO, and also prescribes Rights and Duties of Consumers.