Objection filed by the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board Graduate Engineers’ Association to the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission
Tata Power has applied for parallel electricity distribution licence for the areas comprising Raipur, Dharsiwa, Mandir Hasaud and Abhanpur Tehsils. Electricity distribution is an essential public utility, and granting a distribution licence to a private entity or permitting parallel/private participation in the electricity distribution sector will have serious and far-reaching consequences for consumers, employees and the existing public electricity distribution system of the State. The grant of parallel electricity distribution licence will amount to privatization of electricity distribution and must be opposed as it is anti-worker. Anti-farmer and anti-social.
To,
The Secretary,
Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC),
Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Subject: Objection to the Petition for Grant of Electricity Distribution Licence to Tata Power for Raipur, Dharsiwa, Mandir Hasaud and Abhanpur Tehsil Areas.
Respected Sir/Madam,
We respectfully submit this objection on behalf of the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board Graduate Engineers’ Association against the petition filed by Tata Power before the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) seeking an Electricity Distribution Licence for the areas comprising Raipur, Dharsiwa, Mandir Hasaud and Abhanpur Tehsils.
Our Association strongly opposes the proposal. Electricity distribution is an essential public utility, and granting a distribution licence to a private entity or permitting parallel/private participation in the electricity distribution sector may have serious and far-reaching consequences for consumers, employees and the existing public electricity distribution system of the State.
Our major objections are as follows:
1. Adverse Impact on Public Interest:
Electricity is an essential public service. Increased participation of private entities may result in greater focus on profitable and high-revenue areas, potentially affecting consumers in rural, remote and less profitable areas.
2. Impact on Cross-Subsidy Mechanism:
Granting a distribution licence for selected revenue-rich areas may adversely affect the existing cross-subsidy mechanism. This could ultimately place an additional financial burden on consumers in other areas and on the State’s public distribution utility.
3. Financial Impact on CSPDCL:
Granting a private distribution licence in revenue-rich areas of Raipur and surrounding regions may adversely affect the revenue and financial position of the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), thereby affecting its capacity to maintain quality and uninterrupted electricity supply across the State.
4. Impact on Employees and Engineers:
Expansion of private participation in electricity distribution may adversely affect service security, working conditions, future recruitment and career prospects of employees and engineers associated with the public electricity distribution system.
5. Use of Public Infrastructure and Assets:
The existing electricity distribution infrastructure has been developed over the years using public resources and investment. Therefore, complete transparency must be ensured regarding the use, maintenance, cost-sharing, liabilities and management of public infrastructure and assets before granting any such licence.
6. Protection of Consumer Interests:
It must be ensured that any new distribution arrangement does not adversely affect electricity tariffs, quality and reliability of supply, consumer grievance redressal mechanisms or the obligation to provide electricity supply to all categories of consumers.
Our Submission and Demand
In view of the above, the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board Graduate Engineers’ Association respectfully urges the Hon’ble Commission to carefully consider the objections and concerns of consumers, local authorities, public representatives, electricity employees and engineers’ organisations before taking any decision on the petition filed by Tata Power.
The Association strongly requests that the existing public electricity distribution system, consumer interests and the service security and interests of employees and engineers be given the highest priority. Accordingly, we request the Hon’ble Commission not to grant approval to the said petition in its present form.
We sincerely hope that the Hon’ble Commission will consider these objections in the larger public interest and in the interest of the long-term sustainability of Chhattisgarh’s electricity distribution system.
Yours faithfully,
Er. B. B. Jaiswal
Patron
CSEB DIPLOMA ENGINEERS’ ASSOCIATION