Go for power reforms, but keep public sector features intact: CCOEEEP

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees, Engineers & Pensioners (CCOEEEP) has asked the State government to go for all-round development in the State Power Sector while keeping its public sector characteristics intact.

Talking to The Sentinel, CCOEEEP joint convener Dipak Kumar Saha said that the body is not against reforms in the power sector. However, reforms don't mean that the power sector will have to be privatized, Saha added.

He stressed that the State's power sector will only develop if the three power companies of the State – APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Limited), AEGCL (Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited), and APGCL (Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited) are developed.

"To reform the power sector, the Electricity Act, 2003 was implemented, which has completed 17 years. When the Act was implemented, the government stated that the sector will be strengthened. But, Assam's power sector has not been able to be free from problems. Even after the implementation of the Act, the power sector has not been developed. We have not yet become self-sufficient and are dependent on other power production companies," said Saha.

The CCOEEEP urged the government to review the 'old faulty' Power Purchase Agreement which is the main cause of incurring losses in the sector.

"In the last three years, the consumers of APDCL have increased by 65 per cent due to the introduction of various schemes in rural areas. However, despite the increase in customers, the infrastructure and manpower were not developed," said Saha.

In this regard, a CCOEEEP delegation submitted a memorandum to State Power Minister Bimal Borah highlighting issues in the power sector. The delegates expressed their concern for the present state of affairs due to the 'maladministration and non-professional approach' of the authority.

It said that the revenue loss of Rs 300 crore as mention by the Chief Minister and Rs 150 crore by the Power Minister are not based on correct data.

"It proves there is lack of transparency of accounts and there should be proper energy audit to present it correctly," the CCOEEEP stated in the memorandum.

It assured that it shall extend all sorts of cooperation to the government for the greater interest of the State.

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