In an effort to ensure expeditious execution of various ongoing projects and improve the quality of the services to the consumers, State Energy Minister Nitin Raut on Friday directed the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) Ltd to delegate powers to its regional offices.

During a power-point presentation held at MSEDCL office, the Minister said that the regional offices would be delegated all powers related to quantity freezing and time limit extensions under all projects including  IPDS,  DDUGJY,  RF meter replacement and AG Solar ones. The Joint Managing Directors and Regional Directors would now monitor the projects for timely completion.

It may be recalled that in 2016 four regional offices at Nagpur, Aurangabad, Pune and Kalyan were carved out for the purpose of execution of the projects on time and also to provide quality services to the consumers. The regional offices at Kalyan and Aurangabad were to be headed by the senior IAS officers as Joint Managing Directors  while regional offices at Pune and Nagpur were to be headed by non IAS officers as Regional Directors.

“However the whole thing  turned out to be a futile exercise as the MSEDCL did not delegate any power to the Joint Managing Directors and Regional Directors,” Dr Raut said.

“With the delegation of power to the regional offices, the projects would be completed in time and would improve the quality of the services to the consumers. The Joint Managing Directors and Regional Directors are also delegated powers to refund electricity duty to industrial consumers,” the Minister said.

At Friday’s meeting, Dr Raut directed the MSEDCL officials concerned for speedy allocation of transformers under HVDS Schemes for Agriculture pump connections.

To reduce the time for replacement of failed transformers, Dr Raut asked to invite comprehensive tenders for replacement of failed transformers including providing oil. At the same time, a new policy would be framed to provide new service connections to the agriculture pumps.

“We have decided to adopt QCBS tender system for outsourced employees to ensure effective utilisation of outsourced manpower with Geo mapping, KRA mapping and Geo fencing which would help to curtail expenditure on maintenance work,” the minister said.

Dr Raut also appreciated the tree plantation programme initiated in Aurangabad Region and asked to undertake the same in other regions.