Minister warns AEC

Patel said he had written to Ahmedabad Electricity Company, seeking details of its revenue receipts and expenditure, the surcharge, and the transmission and distribution losses. He said the State Government had also directed Ahmedabad Electricity Company to immediately respond to consumers8217; complaints relating to faulty meters and replace them with the new ones free. Besides, he said, the Ahmedabad Electricity Company had been asked to hold Lok Darbars in the four zones in Ahmedabad to redress the grievances of its consumers, the Minister said.

To a query, the Minister said the transmission and distribution losses were calculated around 17 per cent which was much higher and must be reduced henceforth. He conceded that he, too, had been receiving a spate of written and oral complaints from consumers on 8220;over billing8221;.

Asked, he said the Swaminathan Committee had submitted report to the State Government, containing suggestions to regulate and reduce power tariff being charged by Surat Electricity Company. The State Government is studying the report, he added.