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

Synopsis of State Reports (Vol.-IV)
Study on `Impact of Restructuring of SEBs’
training of staff and financial and accounting activities can be of great
help in setting up the new processes.
(g) Funding from international institutions like World Bank, ADB, etc., can
assist the State Utilities in meeting the needed investments in the areas
of transmission and distribution. The rigorous examination and laying
down the series of steps to be taken would also bind the Utilities in
concrete terms to the targets to be achieved.
(h) The number of consumers in Assam is about one million and there are
over 17,000 employees. Employees - consumers ratio is 1:57. The
number of DISCOMs and other restructured entities is five against the
single integrated SEB in the pre-reform period. There is shortage of
technical and qualified staff for many new positions to be manned
particularly in finance, commercial and HR functions. The justification
for creating three DISCOMs may be reviewed and combined into one or
two DISCOMs. This will reduce the administrative difficulties in
manning the new companies.
(i) Loss estimation and loss reduction is a key area for the DISCOMs. As a
pilot study is being done by the consultants M/s,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the staff of the DISCOMs could be
extensively involved in the above exercise and imparted training in
segregating technical and commercial losses as well as investigating
causes for commercial losses.
(j) The restructuring experience is unique in any organisation. It is,
therefore, important that the top personnel in the Government as well as
in the Utilities level are not shifted too frequently and are retained for a
reasonable period in their positions so that there is stability in the
process. The independence in their functioning is to be respected. The
Government need not expect quick results in the post-reform period. On
the other hand, mechanisms need to be designed to hold the hands of
those who are venturing in the new path of accountability and resultoriented
performance.
(k) Experience of Assam has shown that the schemes of franchisees in rural
electrification can take off, creating more revenues and employment
opportunities.
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