MSEDCL, US ink cos agreement for rural electric distribution

Mumbai, May 17 (UNI) A joint statement was signed today between Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) and two US-based power companies for advancement of rural electric distribution reforms in Maharashtra.

The agreement was signed by MSEDCL Managing Director Dr A B Pandey, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (PVREA) General Manager Ronald J Carey and Morgan County Rural Electric Association (MCREA) General Manager Fred R Grantham at the MSEDCL headquarters Prakashgad here, a MSEDCL relese said here today.

On the occasion, a two-day workshop has been also organised to exchange views and to share experiences on power distribution.

Speaking on the occasion after signing the joint statement, Dr Pandey said it would help to bring the best practices of developed countries in the distribution system. It would help to adopt the new ideas. The signed joint statement would help to begin a new chapter for Maharashtra, the MCREA, the PVREA and the USAID, he added.

The partnership will be sponsored under the bilateral collaboration of Distribution Reform, Upgrades and Management (DRUM), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

It is facilitated by the Participating Agency Service Agreement, USAID and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Among others present on the occasion were Director (Operations) Anil Palamwar, Director (Finance) Vinayak Rao, senior expert from RUS Larry M Belluzzo, Padmanabhan and Gautam Bhatiani from USAID, PVREA manager (Engineering) James Byrne, MCREA manager (Member Services) David E Henderson and Howard W Barnes from GFR, RUS.

UNI