Nagpur: Energy minister Chandra-shekhar Bawankule has ordered the three-year-administrative audit of power distribution franchisee SNDL following a growing chorus over withdrawing the contract for electricity supply of the company.
The contract of electricity supply in Nagpur city has been awarded to Spanco-SNDL company. Alleging that consumers are fed up with SNDL’s style of functioning, four MLAs, mayor and corporators of Nagpur have demanded that the company’s contract be terminated. The demand was raised in the meeting convened in the rest house of Koradi Thermal Power Station (KTPS) on Sunday.
Bawankule, who is also guardian minister of Nagpur district, MLAs Sudhakar Deshmukh, Vikas Kumbhare, Sudhakar Kohale,Dr Milind Mane, mayor Pravin Datke, social activist Girish Gandhi, corporators, officials of Spanco-SNDL, Mahagenco and MSEDCL companies were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, MLAs and corporators read out the complaints received against the working pattern of Spanco-SNDL. The MSEDCL gave Rs 36 crore to SNDL for maintenance work. It was demanded that the works done through this fund should be checked. Corporators also said that SNDL should not conduct raids in the night or on any other time without giving prior notice and without seeking permission of MSEDCL.
They also demanded sub-meter as per demand. Deshmukh pointed out that hefty bills are being sent to power consumers in which surcharge amount is more than units consumed. Consumers are being looted in the name of changing meter, he alleged. Mayor Pravin Datke said that meters are being changed for no reason and additional money is being charged for it.
Bawankule issued directives to the chief engineer of MSEDCL Mohan Zod to look into all complaints within 15 days, to re-start all offices in the city and to conduct administrative audit of three years of Spanco-SNDL. He warned that action will be taken in the interest of people if no improvements are seen in the company’s style of functioning.
Bawankule also said that meters should be sent to Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology for testing and permission from MSEDCL officers should be sought before changing meter.
