In a significant development, GE and Bechtel, minority share holders in Enron-promoted Dabhol Power Company, have agreed to extend unconditional support for restarting generation of power from the project, lying idle for over 20 months.

This was stated by Power Minister Anant Geete after a two-hour meeting with the top executives of GE and Bechtel in New Delhi.

Asked whether the promoters had insisted on their demands for payment of dues before undertaking onsite inspection of the plant, Geete said, "The promoters expressed their concern over recovering their share capital. We have told them that just as they are concerned about their investments we are equally worried about foreign investment flows in India."

GE India Chief Scott Bayman refused to comment.

Power Secretary R V Shahi said that National Thermal Power Corporation would hold discussions with the promoters on Friday to work out modalities for restarting the project.