THE ORISSA ELECTRICITY REFORM ACT, enacted on 10th January, 1996 by the state after obtaining prior presidential assent. The Act came into effect on 1st April 1996, with an objective to provide for the restructuring of the electricity industry for the rationalisation of the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity for avenues for participation of private sector enterpreneurs in the electricity industry and generally for taking measures conducive to the development and management of the electricity industry in the state in an efficient, economic competitive manner including the constitution of an electricity regulatory commission for the state and for matters connected therewith of incidental thereto.