Towards a new paradigm for power sector reform in India

The purpose of this discussion note is to describe briefly the paradigms [1] 1 At any period in history, according to Thomas Kuhn, there is a ruling paradigm (or pattern of thinking or framework) within the constraints of which most thinking takes place. When its effectiveness diminishes and it begins to break down, a paradigm shift takes place and a new paradigm comes into being. that have guided the power sector of India, starting with the pre-1991 classical electricity utility paradigm which gave way to the current World Bank-led paradigm for power sector reform. Sankar's new innovative proposal for addressing the problem of the power sector in India suggests the possibility that a shift may take place to a new paradigm. The contours of this emerging paradigm are the subject of this note.