Report of Indian Institute of Public Administration ... - Ministry of Power

Orissa
Improvements in Technical Performance
Feeder, Distribution Transformer and Consumer Metering
In order to reduce distribution losses and to control theft of electricity, the three
DISCOMs together installed over 1,400 feeder meters and over 31,000 distribution
transformer meters. This has enabled the DISCOMs to take up energy audit.
Consumer metering
Prior to 1999, i.e., before privatisation of the distribution sector in Orissa, more than
70 per cent of the households were either having defective meters or no meters at all.
The billing was done based on the load factor basis. Immediately after taking over the
distribution function, the three DISCOMs introduced a meter installation drive and
installed over 6.5 lakh consumer meters.
This has helped DISCOMs to improve billing and collection and bring about a
reduction in AT&C losses.
Quality of Service
The quality of service and customer care has considerably improved since power
sector reforms were initiated. This is clear from the table given below:
5.21
Pre-reform Post-reform
Distribution transformer failure rate (%) 24 9
Consumer redressal rate (%) 75 95
Time taken for release of new service
connection
60 days 7 days
Centre for Multi Disciplinary Research (CMDR) has also confirmed the above
findings.
Process Improvements
The DISCOMs have initiated several business process improvement initiatives
covering all aspects of the revenue cycle.
Organisational Restructuring: The DISCOMs have reorganised circles, divisions and
sub-divisions for effective monitoring and enhancing efficiency. A pilot project on
feeder management concept is being carried out in one division having predominantly
LT consumers.