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

Rajasthan
Year-Wise Pending Applications
2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005
General Nursery/
special
Farm
house
Total
General
Nursery/
special
Farm
house
Total
General Nursery/
special
Farm
house
Total
190900 11747 2857 205504 197418 7701 5410 210529 178851 32188 9938 220977
(b) There is a need for gradually restricting the subsidies among the agriculture
consumers only to those who really deserve. Through the nursery scheme,
mentioned under general findings, broadly a distinction could be made
between the haves and have-nots. The haves have opted for the nursery scheme
(instant connection) and willingly paid higher capital cost and tariff. The havenots,
who were left out, were provided connection under the ordinary category.
The newly adopted annual targets of releasing 40,000 agricultural service connections
are counter-productive and not sustainable in the long run. The traditional target of
25,000 agricultural service connections should be restored. Out of this, 50 per cent
connections should be released under the out-of-turn scheme so that the
DISCOMs do not have to subsidise the affluent farmers.
Captive Plants and Open Access - Waiving Minimum Charges
Minimum charges for captive plants, Open Access consumers and industrial units,
connected with the DISCOMs system, should be substantially reduced, if not waived
because they are connected with the system only for exigencies. Otherwise the
captive plants have to be shut down every month, in order to consume the
quantum of electricity equal to the minimum charges to be paid to the respective
DISCOM.
Control of Electricity Theft – Involvement Of District Administration
Control of electricity theft is one of the biggest challenges faced by the power sector.
DISCOMs alone cannot handle this problem unless there is active support from the
district administration. The Government should issue special directives to the
Collectors and Superintendents of Police to actively support the DISCOMs when the
raids are conducted. Substantial rewards could be offered to the district administration
for outstanding work on this front.
Outsourcing
There are a large number of vacancies in the power companies. Spontaneously the
demand comes for filling up the vacancies. The time has come when more and more
6.57