Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to curb the deficit amounting to Rs 168 cr, the Electricity Department has decided to replace around four lakh meters in the State.
Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar has his task cut out – to bring the department out of a big financial hole. The department is currently staring at a revenue deficit of Rs 168 cr.
Speaking to Herald, Madkaikar said his immediate priority is to bring the department out of losses. “I will try my best to bring the department in profit in the next one year without increasing the power tarriff,” he said.
As an immediate remedy, Madkaikar plans to replace around 4 lakh faulty electricity meters. “This includes 60,000 faulty meters and 3 lakh outdated meters, which will be replaced on priority,” Madkaikar said.
Asked what was the reason for the deficit of Rs 168 cr deficit, Madkaikar stated, “It is mainly because the government purchases electricity from the Power Grid and others at around Rs 3.25 per unit while it is supplied to consumers at less than Rs 2 per unit.”
“The difference between purchase and supply is a direct loss to the department,” he said. He said the department makes profit only on supply to industries and big commercial connections. Besides, he added, outstanding payments from consumers is also nearly Rs 8 crore.
While the department is reeling under losses the past government and particularly the then power minister had been on a recruiting spree. According to sources in the last five years, the Electricity Department carried out recruitment for nearly 2000 posts increasing the burden on the exchequer.
Amongst other plans, Madkaikar said, he would try to complete the project of computerisation of the department at the cost of Rs 115 cr, which includes a new building coming up at Kadamba plateau.
“The project is nearing completion and we would want to inaugurate it as early as possible so that all payments and billings can be made online,” he said adding, “We plan to make power department completely cashless and digital as part of Digital India Programme.”
Madkaikar also said that the underground cabling of the coastal belt and in forest areas is on the cards. “The Chief Minister is also keen on underground cabling and hopefully we will get central funds for the project,” he said.
