APERC contemplates to adopt five-point programme

Hyderabad, Feb 11 (INN): In order to provide highly qualitative service and to safe guard the interests of the electricity consumers of over 1.7 crores in the state, Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) is contemplating to adopt five-point programme for enhanced consumer services.

They are protection of consumers' interest; Focus on time bound reduction of T&D losses; Prudent check of investment schemes; Periodical review of performance of transmission & distribution licensees and Enforcing regulatory compliance by all stakeholders.

'For us common consumer is an ultimate boss. But at the same time, commission is also concerned about the financial health of power utilities for ensuring quality, reliability and sustainability of power supply at an affordable cost and overall economic growth of the state,' said Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) Chairman Justice G Bhavani Prasad after administering the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Dr.Pervela Raghu and Pendyala Rama Mohan as Members of APERC. The swearing-in-ceremony was held in the court Hall of APERC at Singareni Bhavan here on Wednesday.

The APERC Chairman said that the consumer is the ultimate Boss for us and protecting the interests of the common consumers with value added services and rationalization of electricity tariff is the prime motto.

'Commission will continue to function with commitment and determination to create a conducive atmosphere in the state for development of power sector, promotion of competition among utilities,' he said.

Justice Prasad, during an informal discussion with the new Members and officials of the commission, said that the Electricity Act 2003, vested powers with the State Electricity Regulatory body, to look into the interests of all the stake holders of the power sector like Generators, Transmission & Distribution Licensees and ultimately the final pay master i.e. Consumer.

The Commission formulated and notified a number of Regulations on important aspects of Supply of Electricity to the consumers. The APERC Chairman requested the cooperation of all the stake holders to enable the Commission to strike un-disputed balance among the interests of all the stake holders and to function in a transparent manner.

He appealed to all electricity consumers and stake holders to participate in the public hearings on the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) proposals submitted by the APDISCOMs to be conducted at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Guntur and Tirupati for expressing their opinions/ objections /suggestions /grievances without any fear or favour.

Energy Secretary Ajay Jain, APTRANSCO CMD K Vijayanand, APEPDCL CMD R Muthyala Raju, Directors of power utilities and senior officers of Power Sector attended the swearing in ceremony and congratulated the new members.