Challenging days seem to be ahead for Kulamani Biswal, who has recently taken over as director finance in NTPC, with the power sector regulator CERC proposing new tariff regulations which, if implemented, could snip as much as PSU?s net profits. Since the CERC has sought public comments on the draft regulations, Kulamai can plead with the regulator to relax some of the provisions which NTPC finds rather tough. After all, the sector watchdog is supposed to ensure that investors recover a fair return on equity while protecting electricity consumers? interest. It remains to be seen how effectively Kulamani presents NTPC?s case before the regulator in this matter.
Ready for a new inning
MK Goel, who is currently leading Power Finance Corporation as the acting chairman, has been recommended by the government head-hunter PESB for a regulator appointment to the post. Goel can take up the job after getting government?s go-ahead. Pending his selection for a permanent posting, Goel has been avoiding media. We hope his appointment is cleared soon so that Goel could interact with newspersons freely.