In a innovate measure to further strengthen service for electricity consumers across the State, Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) is planning to launch metering van in State.
Department sources revealed that apart from replacing the obsolete electronic meters, technical staff posted in the metering vans would also do surprise checks to curtail line loss incidents. After considering the fact, the electricity consumers abstain to submit their electricity bills especially after receiving the electricity bills after due date, the outstanding billed amount regularly bothers the department as it is considered one of the major setbacks for running the department on losses.
Additionally, the frequent technical snags in the line also keep the officials on toes for finding the fault.
Well established sources revealed that 10-20 per cent of electricity available by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) through generation and central pool is reported to be pilfered by the unauthorised electricity consumers. Among those affected districts are Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand and those who are living in the remote parts of these districts tops the tally in terms of power theft.
Even though officials blame the shortage of vigilance staff in the department but strict instructions are already released to curtail line loss incidents. It is equally important to mention here is that the Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses were reduced from the maximum level of 53 per cent in 2003-04 to 23 per cent in 2012-13 with an anticipated target for further reduction to 18 per cent by March 2014.
After considering the plight of the consumers and to turn UPCl, a profitable company in the near future, the department is planning to launch one metering van in the Dehradun district.
One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that the metering vans would be launched further in other districts of the State depending on the response van receives, once it is launched in the near future.
He told that vigilance staff undertakes the responsibility of conducting raids, identifying and impose penalty on unauthorised consumers and supervising distribution lines in the State.
Besides, the obsolete meters would be also replaced by the department besides, rectifying the electricity bills. He hoped that the problem the line loss incidents will surely decrease in the near future.