Energy Minister asks MSEDCL to delegate powers to Regional Offices 

Mumbai, July 10, 2020 : The State Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut has directed the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd to delegate powers to its regional offices in the matter of execution of the projects during a power point presentation held at MSEDCL office at Mumbai.

The power point presentation was held regarding the work progress in the jurisdiction of Aurangabad region in which principal energy secretary in-charge Dinesh Waghmare,  Managing Director of Aurangabad region Sunil Chavan and senior MSEDCL officers were present.

According to information, 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. The Joint Managing Directors and Regional Directors would now monitor the projects for timely completion.

In the year 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 to be headed by non IAS officers as Regional Directors. However it turned to be a futile exercise as the MSEDCL did not delegate any power to the Joint Managing Directors and Regional Directors.

Now it is expected that by 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.

In the meeting Dr Raut instructed speedy allocation of transformers under HVDS Schemes for Agriculture pump connections. To reduce the time for replacement of failed transformers, he 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.

It has been also 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.

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