Reviewed the Power Situation in the State…

Hyderabad, Neti Patrika Prajavartha :
The Hon’ble Chairman Sri. Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy today reviewed the power situation in the State, especially in the wake of the restriction and control measures imposed recently. Strengthening the Transmission & Distribution networks, issues relating to recovery of long pending dues from Government Departments and local bodies, and ensuring adequate availability of feedstock were the other aspects which were covered in the review.

During the meeting, the Energy Secretary explained the coal shortage situation and informed the various steps being taken to relieve the short supply situation. The Hon’ble Chairman emphasized that all steps should be taken to ensure that availability of power to all sections of the society at any cost and the restriction and control measures are eased at the earliest possible moment. The Hon’ble Chairman, having taken note of the recent representations received from various sections on the restrictions and control imposed, emphasized that the DISCOMs should not be seeing levy of penal charges as a source of revenue and is to be used only as a tool to moderate the runaway grid demand. He further said that the Commission will be issuing instructions on the following aspects shortly:

○ Directing the DISCOMs not to levy cross subsidy surcharge during the R&C period
○ Levying demand charges only on the restricted demand rather than the contracted demand during the R&C period
○ Imposition of penal charges only from 15th April
○ Imposing penal charges only after completion of the monthly energy settlement for the consumers having Open Access / captive consumption
○ NOC issuance for open access availment to be processed as per extant rules without causing any undue hindrance

The Hon’ble Chairman emphasized that the electricity sector should be making prudent investments and avoid unnecessary / avoidable investments during the current difficult situation when the DISCOMs are not able to generate adequate revenues to meet their payment obligations.

The Hon’ble Chairman while relating the complaints about untimely repair and restoration of failed Distribution Transformers emphasized that agriculture sector should be given top most priority in this regard and that the Commission would not spare any DISCOM that fails to meet the laid down Standards of Performance.

The review was taken up by the Hon’ble Chairman along with the Members of the Commission Sri. P. Rajagopal Reddy & Sri. Thakur Rama Singh. Sri. B. Sridhar, Energy Secretary & CMD, APTransco, and the CMDs of the three DISCOMs attended the review meeting.