Electricity workers of the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited of AP (AP EPDCL), who are out to make a fast buck in this hour of power crisis, beware! Top officials are closely monitoring the situation, and any attempt to fleece consumers will invite punitive action.
While dedicated employees, who go out of the way in discharging their duties, will be rewarded suitably, the black sheep, who try to exploit the situation, would be punished based on the complaints received from the consumers.
Energy Secretary Ajay Jain called upon consumers to bring to the notice of the EPDCL officials if they faced any problems with the ground-level employees and contract workers regarding restoration of supply in the cyclone-affected areas.
The government has procured transformers and cranes, and requisitioned the services of workers not only from different districts of Andhra Pradesh but also from other states.
There are complaints that some lower level officials are asking the consumers to hire cranes and private workers.
“We have adequate equipment and sufficient number of workers, and there is no cause for alarm,” Mr. Jain said, and added the top officials would not move out from North Andhra till at least 95 per cent of the restoration work was completed.
In all, 10,000 solar lanterns were requisitioned for supply of alternative energy in the tribal areas of the cyclone-affected districts. This was done as restoration of supply in these areas would take a longer time in view of the difficult terrain.
Service connection cost to be borne by govt. The cost of snapped service connection (from the pole to the building) for domestic consumers would be borne by the government. Though the cost has to be borne by the consumers during normal circumstances, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has already clarified that the cost would be borne by the government.
Any attempt to fleece the consumers in this regard would be viewed seriously.
Mr. Jain announced that a helpline would be opened in this regard soon.
