Nagpur simmers due to MSEDCL apathy

May 2nd, 2008 | posted by Anjali

NAGPUR: Discontent is simmering among power consumers

of Nagpur, especially those under the Congress Nagar division. Neglecting the city, power distributor MSEDCL is trying to

ensure Pune, Baramati, Thane and Navi Mumbai do not suffer load-shedding.

Rajiv Jagtap, Secretary of Citizens

Forum, charged that MSEDCL was ignoring the city because it did not have strong political godfathers. "Maharashtra

Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) had agreed in principle that divisions with lowest losses be given priority in

relief from load-shedding. However, MSEDCL simply did not submit any proposal for Nagpur to MERC. As a result consumers of

Congress Nagar division will have to suffer power cuts despite paying their bills honestly."

Consumer activist

Pratap Hogade told TOI that MSEDCL, as a distribution licensee, should not discriminate between divisions on the basis of

geographical location. "At present MSEDCL is not in a position to do away with load-shedding in the state. Therefore,

divisions with low distribution losses all over the state should be given equal benefit. I had proposed creation of an A+

category for divisions with less than 18% distribution losses.

MERC had asked MSEDCL to submit the necessary

data to create such a category, but MSEDCL has not shown any interest in the proposal so far."

Source:

Vidarbha