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

Assam
to achieve 100 per cent electrification of villages in Assam by 2007. The Single
Point Power Supply Scheme (Franchisee Model) has been a success in the
State. The Scheme has received good response from the consumers and has
contributed to increase in the revenue of the companies. About 1,000 DTs have
been handed over to the Franchisees; the average revenue collection, as on 31
August 2005, has gone up from Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 2.72 lakh. It has also
generated employment for 492 persons in various circles. The Rural
Electrification Policy, 2005 of the State is very comprehensive. At present,
only 17 per cent of rural household are electrified, while 86 per cent of the
population lives in rural areas. The IT applications and expansion of its
SCADA system is under the scope of consultants’ assignment. Regulatory
Commission is demanding efficiency improvements and the DISCOMs are
accountable for their performance. The distribution sector could be turned
around particularly with the availability of substantial funds.
So far, High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) has not been introduced in
Assam. Introduction of HVDS will help in curtailing the theft of electricity and
reducing losses.
11.4 Regulators
A legal framework exists under the EA, 2003, which provides a wide mandate
and independence to the SERC. The Commission was established in 2001 as a
single Member body. It was reconstituted as a multi-Member Commission, i.e.,
with a Chairperson and two more members in February 2005. The Commission
is functioning independently with grants from the State Government and
receipts on account of petitions filed before it. The Commission has issued
Tariff Orders for the years 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06. The
utilities have filed Tariff Petition for 2006-07. The Commission is considering
issue of MYT to be reviewed annually. Time of the day (TOD) meters have
been introduced in three blocks in HT category only. The commission may
introduce it for the commercial power supply also.
For the year 2005-06, subsidy of Rs 49 crore was provided by way of direct
Government grant. The amount actually released was Rs 24 crore. Regarding
the surcharge, the Commission has carried out a study and proposes to notify
the surcharge in the tariff for 2006-07. One order of the Commission was
challenged before the Tribunal but no stay order was granted to the applicant.
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