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

10 CUSTOMER SERVICES
State Reports (Vol.-III)
Study on `Impact of Restructuring of SEBs’
In order to evaluate the performance of the suppliers of electricity and the
related satisfaction level among the consumers, the Advisory Cell of AERC has
carried out a survey. Questionnaires were distributed among the consumer
groups for obtaining their responses and the period of survey was from August
to October 2005.
On the question of availability of power, the situation is somewhat better in
Guwahati. The power supply and the quality of supply are poor in areas outside
Guwahati. A massive programme of upgradation of sub-transmission and
distribution network is an urgent requirement. Generation capacity needs to be
increased. There is unauthorised use of power and utilities lose substantial
revenue due to commercial losses. The survey indicated that only very few
number of connections are disconnected due to unauthorised use of power.
There is also a low billing efficiency across the State. The scheme of
computerisation of billing has been introduced at some of the locations in
Guwahati but has not yet been introduced at other places. The replacement of
defective meters also takes a lot of time. If done promptly, it will enhance the
satisfaction level of consumers. The utilities have to take concerted action in
various areas after interaction with their customers.
11 SPECIFIC ISSUES
11.1 Generation
The present installed generating capacity in the State is 575 MW and the
effective capacity is only 150 MW. It has allocated share of 546 MW in the
Central sector projects located in the north-eastern region. The State is facing
power shortage. The State has made a two-fold strategy to have more available
capacity. The capacity addition programme in the Tenth and Eleventh Plans is
619 MW for thermal projects at an estimated cost of Rs 3,100 crore and 347
MW for hydro projects at an estimated cost of Rs 2,800 crore. The projected
peak demand in the year 2006-07 and 2011-12 is 991 MW (restricted demand
700 MW) and 1,423 MW against the present peak demand of 690 MW. There
are also a number of hydro and gas projects in the north-eastern region which
may be implemented by NHPC and NEEPCO. Assam will have a share in these
projects. The significant event has been for 500 MW Bongaigaon Project,
which will be set up by NTPC with Assam’s share of 300 MW.
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