The Tamil Nadu government has simplified the process for various categories of power consumers seeking new services or conversion of existing services for construction purposes. This move clears bottlenecks in the system and makes field officers accountable for any lapses.
Key Changes in Power Connection Process
The name transfer procedure has been made more transparent and time-bound. Although the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code had set deadlines with elaborate procedures for new services, tariff conversion, and meter shifting upon construction completion, these were often not implemented effectively. Procedural bottlenecks were frequently cited as excuses.
Issues Identified Under SimpleGov Initiative
The screening committee and empowered committee, formed under the SimpleGov initiative, held meetings with stakeholders. They identified several issues, including manual closure of the tariff conversion process, mandatory submission of completion certificates, unclear guidelines on metering points, and lack of online facilities for meter shifting or load enhancement.
Government Orders and Implementation Status
The state government issued two Government Orders (GOs) in February, but the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) have yet to initiate steps to implement them. Officials stated that trials are underway for GIS tagging of meters and decentralization of powers from Assistant Engineers to foremen and commercial inspectors.
“GIS mapping of meters is completed. No new service can be provided without GIS mapping. Other works are under different stages of execution,” said an official. In another GO, the government proposed transferring electricity service to another person through a complete online procedure. Instead of uploading manually filled applications online, the TNPDCL website will now have a facility to directly apply online for name transfer, with further processes also made online.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Welcoming both GOs, retired discom officer and activist Neelakanta Pillai said, “The law is already clear and pro-consumer, but it is not effectively implemented. The new initiative should effectively negate the loopholes often abused by officials. There have been several instances of local TNPDCL officials insisting on conversion of power supply even for a small extension of an existing building, but the new system will not allow it.”
