Huge pvt investments needed in energy sector: KPMG
New Delhi: Consulting firm KPMG in its `India Energy Outlook' study says India will need private investments to the tune of $9-10 billion in the energy sector over the next five to six years to bridge the demand-supply gap. The study also says that India's mineable coal reserves are likely to be exhausted in about 40 years and that in order to attract and sustain private investments the Government will have to evolve a clear policy framework in the energy sector with clarity in matters such as energy pricing, market structure, cross-border investments and imports and exports of energy products.

KMPG estimates that since the country's energy requirements could jump four-fold over the next 25 years, the Government should enter into partnerships with key nations to diversify its energy supply base and improve long-term supply arrangements.

Partha Bardhan, head of KPMG's energy practice in India said coal could not be relied on forever, as hydrocarbon reserves in India were "meagre." Hydroelectric and nuclear power seemed to be the obvious options, but an improved framework was needed to attract private sector, he added.

The report favoured deregulating the coal sector and setting up an independent body to govern investments in the sector. The report said that India's energy requirements and availability of sources also imply that it would have to build 250,000 MWe of nuclear capacity by 2050.
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India not to compromise on agriculture or industry at WTO: Kamal Nath
New Delhi: India will not compromise on interests of either agriculture or industry at the World Trade Organisation negotiations according to commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath. He told visiting WTO director general Pascal Lamy that emerging economies should not be asked to pay the price for the successful conclusion of a deal under the Doha Development Round.

Briefing newspersons, he said Indian farmers had no place in the global trading system owing to the huge agriculture subsidies of developed countries, which distorted markets. Indian agriculture was not commerce but a way of life and any deal that led to its displacement was unacceptable. He said any tariff reduction moves must take these sensitivities on board. This was the reason for the proposal to have Special Products and Special Safeguard Mechanism.

Lamy urged India and other developing economies to adopt a flexible approach on industrial tariffs in a bid to meet the April 30 deadline for concluding talks on agriculture and industry.
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