22 June 2004 - As many as 13 states have won extensions ranging between two months to one year for unbundling the State Electricity Boards as part of time-bound reforms.

"We have given extensions to 13 states... Assam has sought extension for only two months while Kerala has been given time period of another year," Union Power Minister P M Sayeed said, adding that no further extension would given to any of these states.

Asked whether the rest of the states were going ahead with the reform programme, the minister said "since they have not asked for any extension I assume they shall be going ahead."

On the issue of reviewing the Electricity Act, 2003, Sayeed said "I don't see any need for reviewing any of the clause at this juncture... After all, the Act is for the consumers, if there is any impediment we shall look into when ever any stakeholder points out."

The Electricity Act, 2003 intended to reorganise the SEBs and regulatory bodies in order to effectively control and monitor generation, transmission and distribution sectors, he said.

He also said that Government was committed to healthy reforms in the power sector in line with those in the telecom sector.

Other states, which have got the extension include Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, Sayeed said.