To ensure that complaints of electricity consumers are redressed on the spot with the involvement of public representatives, Haryana Government has decided to constitute Bilji Samitis at the level of sub division in the State
The Bijli Samitis would have 10 members including Panch, Sarpanch, members of Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samitis. The Bilji Samitis would meet once every two months and would redress complaints like inflated electricity bills, low voltage, defective meters, power theft, billing complaints among others.
Chief Minister Manohar lal on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the functioning of Haryana Power Utilities.
He said that the involvement of public representatives in the Samitis would help in further enhancing the efficiency as they would have counter check on the sub divisional office.
While reviewing the activities of Power Utilities, the Chief Minister directed to expedite the work for providing uninterrupted power supply in Gurgaon. It was informed that the power department has prepared a comprehensive plan to deal with the problems of power cuts in Gurgaon and by the next year, this problem would be completely resolved by way of bridging gaps in the transmission system.
Apart from this, Smart Grid concept for Gurgaon is also being implemented in a phased manner. Gurgaon has been facing the problem of power cuts for the last twelve years.
During the meeting, Manohar lal also directed that all dangerous electricity poles be replaced at the earliest.
A campaign had been launched in the state to replace the dangerous poles and 70 per cent of the work has been completed. Apart from this, sagging wires are also being replaced wherever required.
The Chief Minister also asked to conduct a survey to identify the number of electricity poles erected in water ponds and these be removed immediately. He directed that Bilji Darbars be held at division level to redress various complaints of the consumers.
It was informed in the meeting that sufficient power is available in the state as 10,937 mw power capacity is available as against likely peak demand of 9300 MW. Apart from this, no increase in the cost of power generation has been made during the financial year 2015-16 due to which application filed with Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) for reduction in the Fuel Surcharge Adjustment by 25 paisa.
It is expected that the power cost could be further reduced by March 2017.
It was also informed that an estimate of Rs 11910.11 crores is planned for upgradation of infrastructure in transmission and distribution system in the next three years.
Apart from this, for energy conservation, more than 25 lakh lED lamps have so far been distributed under UJAlA scheme.
The Chief Minister was also informed that Haryana Power Generation Corporation limited (HPGCl) has entered into solar power generation and a letter of Intent has already been issued for setting up of 10MW Solar Power Plant at Panipat Thermal Power Station.
In addition to this, 133 MW solar potential has been identified at HPGCl sites at Panipat, Yamunanagar, Faridabad and Hisar.
Recently, the Power Department had simplified the procedure and forms for the consumers. Online payment of electricity bills has been introduced in the state for the convenience of consumers.