Atmanirbhar loan may touch ~1.25 trillion: Power minister

The Union ministry of power may increase the loan amount to ~1.25 trillion from the existing ~90,000 crore under the Atmanirbhar package for power distribution companies (discoms) to clear their dues. The special loan is aimed at clearing dues of discoms towards Centre-owned and private power generation units. States, during the power ministers’ meeting, requested that scope of the scheme be increased to cover dues of state-owned generation units. The Union ministry has agreed to this, R K Singh, Union power minister, said. States have also asked the Centre to lower the rate of interest below 9 per cent. Loan requests of ~20,000 crore have already been approved.