Prayas’s 10 points to MSEDCL to ensure power for all

Some of these ideas have already been adopted in some states,said Dixit who has also proposed bold proactive initiatives like 100×100 drives by distribution companies to give connections to all within 100 metres of the line. This is essential to meet the target of universal access,he said.

The ideas in the paper have to be implemented by regulators,distribution companies and the government together,said Dixit adding that they are techno-financially feasible and can be adopted within the existing framework.

What the paper suggests

* Fairness in sharing the shortage can be achieved through public consultative processes initiated by Regulatory Commissions to design and monitor load shedding,as has been done in some states

* Reserving an Ultra Mega Power Project to get rid of load shedding in the most backward districts

* While the regulatory processes have helped to increase the participation of consumers in regulatory forums,including public hearings,the representation of the poor in these forums has remained dismal

* There is inadequate data and analysis of data concerning all aspects of small consumers like their actual numbers,consumption patterns,and hours of supply

* Introduce the BPL category in all states,do away with the many Low Tension (LT) consumer categories and until the rural electricity supply and service improves,provide low tariff for rural consumers compared to urban consumers,as done in states like UP,MP,Bihar andJharkhand

* A few districts with low Human Development Index (HDI) figures could be identified and a plan drawn up to make them free from load shedding for LT consumers

* The quality of supply and service could be improved through better infrastructure

* SERCs should initiate third party audits of metering and billing systems,which is the practice in states like Uttarakhand and Delhi