BHOPAL: The power distribution companies of the state, concerned over low recovery of electricity bills in some areas across the state, are going to handover the work of billing and collection to private outfits. These companies have already floated tenders, inviting bids for outsourcing the billing and collection work. The financial bids would be opened on February 10.
All the three power distribution companies (Eastern, Western and Central Regions) have floated tenders inviting bids for handling the work in around 50 distribution centres and towns. The work of billing and collection of electricity bills will go into private hands from April 1 These companies are also mulling appointing ‘Bijli Patels’, who would be given the responsibility of distribution and collection of electricity bills in ten villages. They would be given a fixed sum as remuneration besides incentive on recovery of electricity bills.
As far as the Central Region Power Distribution Company is concerned, billing and collection would be privatised in Sabalgarh in Morena district, Gohad in Bhind, Sevda in Gwalior, Karera and Sheopur in Shivpuri, Chanderi in Guna, Pathari in Vidisha, Anchalkheda in Hoshangabad, Shyampur in Sheopur, Gairatganj in Bhopal and Boda in Rajgarh.
In the Eastern region, Dindori in Mandla district, Teonthar in Rewa, Barrighat in Khajuraho, Mungwani in Seoni, Bagor in Sidhi, Singpur in Shahdol, Ladwari in Prithvipur, Bela in Satna, Panjara in Chhindwara and Singhpur in Narsinghpur have been selected. In Western region, Sitamau in Mandsaur and other towns have been included.
Central Region Power Distribution Company, general manager, Rajiv Agarwal said the work of billing and recovery is being outsourced in the areas where there was low recovery of electricity bills. Agarwal said this experiment has been undertaken considering loss of revenue.
Earlier, the state government had given the work of distribution, billing and recovery of electricity bills in Sagar and Ujjain on franchise basis to Escel Company. It was withdrawn amidst protest from people’s representatives and irregularities in recovery. The project has been launched again on pilot basis in the state. If it is successful the work
