Deliberations in the 1st Technical Session in the OERC Workshop
Mr. Biswal emphasized on change in mind set of people in general and the distribution staff in particular.
Lack of investment
Theft of energy and conductor.
5000 villages electrified without overburdening any 33 KV s/s in CESU zone.
Customer grievances.
Shri P K Pradhan, CEO, WESCO
The voltage supplied on the grid is low from the OPTCL grid line. Ultimately DISTCOs suffer from low voltage. Complaints gather momentum as a result of unbalance load and voltage. Aspirations of consumers was not high earlier which has gone up now. Massive investments are required for system up gradation.
The use of implements
Escrow mechanism.
RE extensions has deteriorated which requires huge investments
Administrative support is not available. FIRs are not accepted.
Mr. Manoranjan Mohapatra, CEO, NESCO
Low voltage is caused due to OPTCL in Bhadrak and adjacent areas.
NESCO depends on OPTCL for up gradation and voltage in Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Baripada.
NESCO has adhered to standards of performance
SOUTHCO
SOUTHCO wishes to adopt the standards of performance of OERC
Viability of SOUTHCO is very important.
Mr. Panda
Low voltage problem is still continuing.
Service providers and OERC have not come to help.
Mind set has to change.
Moderator Shri S.K. Jena wanted to know whether all gathered here were aware of the standards of performance prescribed by OERC.
Sarapancha, Gunapur Block, Rayagada
AP has all arrangements for electricity even in small villages.
In Gunupur Block, electricity is not supplied to all.
Shri K.C. Das, Jajpur
Low voltage still continues
Staffs in charge of collection of bills are irregular.
In case of failure of transformer, rectification and restoration takes time.
Moderator Shri S.K. Jena pointed out whether the speaker knew about the compensation package available to the consumers based on standards of performance.
Mr. Kameswar Rao, Berhampur
Provisions for compensation existing in urban areas should also be applicable in rural areas.
Complaint registers are not maintained properly.
Lack of staff for maintenance and attending to consumer complaints.
Mr. B. Acharya, Jagatsinghpur
Consumers are not aware of standards of performance.
Complaint registers don’t exist.
Rejection of consumer grievance is a problem.
Late delivery of bills
Defective bills
Consumers don’t know GRF and Ombudsman
The message of OERC Regulation should reach at the grass root level .Or else it will remain in paper.
Mr. K.N. Jena, President, FOCO
Exploitation of consumers should stop at one go.
Or else people will take law in to hand.
Smt. Satyabhama Behera, Kurinjipur G.P., Balipatana Block
Transportation expenses of transformer are borne by the consumer.
Electrification of neighboring villages should be done.
New electricity connection is not available even within three months.
Frequent power interruptions.
Proper service is not available.
Shri Trinath Bhuian, Chairperson, Panchayat Samiti, Malkanagiri
We are unaware of the compensation package prescribed by OERC.
Ms. Sunita Tirky, Lathikata Block
A backward district with dense population
Officers should not put the consumers in difficulty.
We are unaware of the compensation package.
Balasore Block
Lots of disturbance in system
Takes lots of time to replace a transformer
Low voltage exists
President, Zilla Parishad, Nuapada
Low voltage exists.
Replacement of transformer takes more than a year.
President, Zilla Parishad, Jharsuguda
Unaware of the compensation package.
President Zilla Parishad, Puri
Renovation of transformers
Redressal of grievance
Unaware of the Regulation.
Consumer Welfare Association General Secretary, Rourkela
The regulation on standards of performance should be to the entire satisfaction of the consumer.
Agents to be appointed by OERC should be in villages and sub-divisions.
For the compensation package to be implemented, right people should exist.
Mr. G.N. Agarwal, Member, GRF
Consumer awareness can be increased by making the regulations reach them.
J.E. and SDOs should know about the provisions.
Mr. P.K. Dash, Ombudsman, CESU
Ombudsman should be empowered to grant compensation.
Dr. Arati Mohanty, SAC
Even urban consumers are not aware of the compensation package.
Bills are supplied even when there is no current at home.
Service lines are not maintained.
Mr. Gobardhana Pujari, SAC
GRFs should make efforts for awareness of compensation.
Not a single consumer has claimed compensation so far.
Ms. Rama Subudhi, SAC
Bill should be sent in time.
Mr. Samareswar Mohanty
Licensees should automatically pay compensation as per Regulation.
Licensee should develop a system to detect areas of compensation suo moto.
Law is not clear whether GRF’s order is mandatory on licensee.
Moderator Shri S.K. Jena pointed out that OERC had conducted Seminars in all circles to create awareness among officers of licensees.
Mr. A.R. Mohanty, Former Memebr, OERC
The Act has the objective of consumer satisfaction.
PM Dr. Manmohan Singh has emphasized on reforms to be undertaken in the distribution sector.
Reform has gone two steps forward and one step backward.
Supply Act 1948 mandated for reasonable return equivalent to bank rate plus a markup.
Reforms mean SANSKAR, but the SANSKAR has not really come.
Mr. B.C. Jena, Former Member, OERC
Officials of the licensees are not aware of the regulation.
Past records existed during OSEB have vanished now.
OERC should find out the way for awareness.
Codes should specify everything.
Mr. S.K. Nanda, SAC
Cause of deterioration of performance standards should be found out.
Maintenance standards should be improved.