In a significant move towards governance reform, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Tuesday that recent digital and administrative overhauls at the state electricity board are set to save the exchequer a substantial Rs 16.83 crore over three years. The reforms underscore the government's commitment to systemic change, or "Vyavastha Parivartan," focusing on transparency and financial discipline.
Transparent Bidding Slashes Costs by 46%
Chief Minister Sukhu detailed that the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has successfully reduced its annual expenditure on critical support services through competitive and transparent bidding processes. The cost for electricity billing and enterprise resource planning (ERP) support services has been dramatically cut.
The annual support cost has been reduced by nearly 46%, falling from Rs 12.29 crore to the current Rs 6.68 crore. This move away from high-cost, non-transparent outsourcing is a cornerstone of the government's effort to plug financial leaks.
Direct Savings and Welfare Focus
The CM emphasized that these operational efficiencies are expected to yield direct savings of approximately Rs 5.61 crore every year, culminating in the total three-year saving of Rs 16.83 crore. Sukhu stated that these public funds, which were previously lost to inefficient legacy contracts, will now be redirected towards welfare schemes and public benefit projects.
"The government's focus is not merely on running institutions, but on reforming them to ensure transparency, efficiency and financial discipline," Sukhu said, highlighting the core philosophy behind the reforms.
Digitization for 29 Lakh Consumers
Beyond just saving money, the reforms are designed with the citizen in mind, aiming to improve the ease of living. The wide-ranging digitization drive is set to benefit nearly 29 lakh domestic and industrial consumers across the mountainous state.
The initiative introduces and enhances several customer-friendly services:
- Online applications for new electricity connections
- Digital billing systems
- Prepaid metering options
- Online payment gateways
- Digital complaint registration portals
These measures are intended to significantly reduce bureaucratic red tape, wait times, and improve overall transparency in consumer dealings with the electricity board. The CM affirmed that this citizen-centric approach is integral to the state's vision for a modernized and accountable utility service.
