GUWAHATI, June 13 � A daylong convention on the State�s power sector organised by the Bidyut Grahak Mancha, Guwahati, at the Machkhowa Pragjyoti ITA Centre for Performing Arts here today, pleaded for subsidies to the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL). It also called for steps to initiate a parallel improvement drive in all the three power utilities of the State.
However, it said first of all the equation governing optimum capacity utilisation, reduction in transmission and distribution (T&D) loss and power purchase cost has to be found out through a scientific study.
It opposed the move made by the State government to segregate the Upper Assam distribution zone from the APDCL and demanded an inquiry into the incidents of alleged financial corruption in the power sector by an independent agency.
Citing some examples of the financial irregularities in the State�s power sector, the Mancha said in its report that the APDCL had shown a 3.73 per cent rise in its administrative expenses between 2013 and 2014 and then by a quantum jump, the expenses rose to 13.84 per cent in the succeeding years 2014 and 2015.
Again, in matters of depreciation, the power utility had claimed that in 2013-14 it faced a depreciation of Rs 55.16 crore, followed by Rs 56.82 crore in 2014-15 and Rs 29.36 crore in 2015-16. The percentage of depreciation was 3 between 2013 and 2014 and (-) 48.33 in 2014-2015, which was quite incomprehensible, the Mancha asserted.
All these had made quality uninterrupted power supply at an affordable price as envisaged by the Electricity Act, 2003 a myth in Assam. The reality showed that commercialisation of electricity had enhanced the electricity tariff disproportionate to the purchasing power of the consumers, said the Mancha.
The convention authorised the Mancha to take up the issues concerning the State�s power sector with the governor at the earliest.
Addressing the convention presided over by senior advocate Akdas Ali Mir, noted critic and columnist Dr Hiren Gohain said even in the United States of America (USA), which is known for its rapacious capitalism, power utilities are not profit-oriented companies. Power is regarded to be a commodity for social good. But here in Assam, power utilities are made to earn profit to sustain themselves, he said.
The convention was also addressed by social activist Prof Deven Dutta, senior advocate Anil Kumar Bhattacharyya, technocrat Dilip Sarma, consultant engineer J N Khataniar, trade unionist Uddhav Kakoty, LIC trade union leader Bhaben Kalita, consumers� rights activist Bharat Saikia, trade unionists engaged in the power sector Pitambar Talukdar, Dinesh Chandra Goswami, Dipak Saha and former power sector trade unionist Hiranmoy Ghosh and BSNL trade unionist M R Das, among others.
Justice (Retired) Dhiresh Narayan Choudhury also attended the convention.
The convention formed a 16-member permanent committee of the Mancha with Benudhar Barooah as its president and Subodh Sarma as the general secretary.
