APDCL asked to improve safety

AERC issues a slew of directives to the power distribution company to prevent electrocution deaths

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Oct 2: Under attack for quite some time now from various quarters for its alleged ineptitude often leading to deaths by electrocution, Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) has now also come under fire from Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) over the issue of safety.

In an order passed recently, AERC issued a slew of directives to APDCL to improve the overall safety quotient.

The Commission asked APDCL to prepare a detailed project report regarding measures to be taken to ensure that distribution installations and networks meet the safety standard as prescribed by CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulation, 2010, clearly indicating the fund requirement and the milestones for complementing the identified tasks/installations in time-bound manner. It asked APDCL to take the help of Chief Electrical Inspector cum Advisor in this regard.

AERC also directed APDCL to conduct “circle-wise periodic sessions on safety measures” to educate its employees at various levels regarding the safety measures to be taken for distribution installations and networks.

The power distribution company has also been asked to conduct consumer awareness programmes on regular basis to educate them on safety measures.

AERC further directed APDCL to appoint safety officers. “Safety officers should be appointed having independent charge to look into the safety aspects,” the order stated.

The directives came following a petition (no. 15/2017) filed by Manoram Gogoi before AERC. The petitioner alleged that APDCL was not complying with the prescribed safety regulations, leading to electrocution deaths in Assam.

Gogoi urged the Commission to take necessary appropriate action under Section 149 of the Electricity Act, 2003, besides directing Chief Electrical Inspector cum Advisor of the Government of Assam, APDCL and State government to provide minimum compensation of Rs 1 crore to the next of kin of those killed due to electrocution, adequate medical help to all injured and adequate compensation for loss of properties to affected persons.

Following the petition, AERC made APDCL and Chief Electrical Inspector cum Advisor respondents in the case and conducted a hearing. In its reply, the Chief Electrical Inspector cum Advisor cited a host of reasons for the electrocution deaths. He admitted before the Commission that due to shortage of manpower, all lines and sub-stations cannot be inspected on regular/periodic basis. It also contended that “corrective measures are not taken by APDCL” in most cases of discrepancies vis-à-vis safety measures.

On its part, APDCL claimed before the Commission that of the 72 electrocution cases recorded, 21 were due to the fault of the company. It stated that the remaining cases were either due to the fault of the persons concerned, or fault of the interl network of the consumers.

Stating that conductors often sp due to tural calamities like cyclonic storm, flood, heavy downpour, etc, over which APDCL has no control, the company informed AERC that a one-man commission of enquiry headed by retired Justice HN Sarma has been constituted by the State government to enquire into the circumstances leading to death of persons in recent electrocution incidents.