Section 16: Powers of the Minister in relation to the activities of the Authority.

(1) Subject as otherwise provided under section 19 of this Act, the Minister may, after consultation with the Authority, give to the Authority such directions of a general character as appear to the Minister to be requisite in the national interests and in particular, directions as to
(a) the expansion of existing electricity undertakings and ancillary works;
(b) the establishment and working of new electricity undertakings;
(c) the rendering of services and the supply of electricity to any government department; and
(d) the creation and application of a general reserve, notwithstanding that these directions may be of a specific character, and the Authority shall give effect to any such directions.
(2) The Authority shall afford to the Minister every necessary facility for obtaining information with respect to the property and activities of the Authority and shall furnish him with returns, copies of any minutes, accounts and other information with respect thereto and afford him facility for the verification of information furnished in such a manner and at such time as he may require.
(3) In this section, the reference to a government department includes the Government of a State or any department of that government.