Power management to Torrent co in Maharashtra

Thane, May 13: A crucial meeting will be held on Monday between the State Energy Minister, Directors of all the three power related companies, Officers Association, Workers Unions, on the issue of introducing franchisee in other divisions of the power companies in the state.

The power management for the power loom town of Bhiwandi has been given to the private company Torrent as a franchisee.

This information was given during the weekend by Maharashtra Power Distribution Company Chief General Manager (Workers) Subash Patil at the 30th two day state conference of the Class I and II non technical officers association at Kalyan.

In his address Mr Patil said as per the basic development programme for the state, a total of 590 sub centres and 1.36 lakh transformers are to be installed in the near future. Also 7,500 MW of power is to be generated in the near future with an investment of Rs 30,000 crore. He said a work of laying 31,500 km of power cable is to be laid in the state for power supply.

He said it was a well known fact that as to why franchisee was preferred for Bhiwandi division for power management.

At the same time it is necessary that the conference discuss the issue of an alternative for franchisee in the interest of the workers and the officials of the companies.

When the MSEB was bifurcated there was a shortage of power to the tune of 4,500 MW. The officials behaved as if the board was their monopoly and the services to the consumers was also not upto the standard.

Bill collection was also the least and the machinery had also become too old. Hence within the short period of two years one cannot conclude that the experiment was a failure, he said.

Even though there is a collection of Rs 1,700 crore, the power purchase price is unviable, he said.

He said the vacancies in the class III and IV which is 4,500 and in class I and II which is 2,500 would be filled up soon.

He wanted the conference to discuss in detail the issues relating to the franchisee and come to a logical conclusion for the suggestions and implementation.

Hundreds of members of the association from all over the state from the non technical wing are attending the two day meet which will deliberate on various vital issues relating to the company.

UNI