In a decisive move to streamline power services, Bihar's top energy official has issued stringent orders against agencies responsible for delays in the crucial smart meter installation drive across the state. The directives aim to prioritize consumer convenience and ensure timely service delivery.
Strict Action Against Delays and Defaulters
Manoj Kumar Singh, the Energy Secretary and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd (BSPHCL), made it unequivocally clear that any hindrance causing inconvenience to electricity consumers will not be tolerated. The orders were issued during a high-level review meeting held on Tuesday at Vidyut Bhawan in Patna.
Singh instructed officials to immediately initiate action against the agencies lagging in the smart meter rollout. He also directed the department to promptly issue notices to consumers who have defaulted on their electricity bill payments. Furthermore, he stressed that the process for releasing new power connections must adhere strictly to the prescribed timelines without any exception.
Key Priorities: Consumer Tagging, Feeder Works, and Cyber Security
The Secretary outlined several critical focus areas for the power companies. He emphasized the urgent need to achieve 100% consumer tagging in the system. Officials were also instructed to complete all pending feeder improvement works on a priority basis to eliminate unnecessary power cuts and ensure a stable supply.
In a significant consumer-friendly directive, Singh mandated that all billing-related complaints must be resolved within a strict deadline of seven days. To strengthen the financial health of the discoms, he called for intensified efforts in revenue collection to meet targets without fail.
Highlighting modern challenges, Singh underscored the importance of cyber security for the power infrastructure. He ordered an immediate ban on the use of any unauthorized digital tools and software across all offices of the department to prevent potential security breaches.
Consumer-Centric Approach and Scheme Review
The review meeting, attended by senior officers including SBPDCL Managing Director Mahendra Kumar and NBPDCL Managing Director Rahul Kumar, also assessed the progress of the central government's Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM Yojana) in the state.
Singh directed all officials to adopt a strictly consumer-centric approach in their operations. He reiterated that time-bound execution of all works, maintaining an uninterrupted power supply, and ensuring robust revenue realization must remain the topmost priorities for the power utilities in Bihar. The directives signal a strong push towards accountability and efficiency in the state's power sector.
