Need to complain about the irregular power supply in your area? Soon, you will be able to do so with relative ease… on Facebook, a popular social networking site.
Speaking at an interactive meeting at the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) here on Thursday, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) Managing Director P. Manivannan said the power utility will be active on Facebook with nearly 3,200 pages from September 1.
Each Facebook page would be dedicated to one feeder. Citizens coming under a particular feeder can join the Facebook page that will have information about the sub-division and feeder number. “Via these pages, we will be providing information to the citizens about power cuts and other vital information,” he said.
Elaborating on another proactive move, he said that Bescom was issuing fresh guidelines regarding issuance of notices prior to disconnection when citizens have defaulted on payments.
He said that Bescom officials have been directed to stick notices on the doors of those who have not paid their electricity bills. “Citizens usually get 30 days after the bills are issued. A notice will now be issued to them, giving them more time, to clear the bills. This will be done from August 1,” he added.
He also said that Bescom was also proposing to have dedicated feeders for industries. “These feeders will help ensure there is uninterrupted power supply to the industries. The supply from these feeders will not be diverted for any other purpose.”
Mr. Manivannan said that each feeder would cost around Rs. 3.5 crore and can supply power to a distance of two km. These feeders would come up on a 50:50 sharing basis with the industries who want the dedicated feeders.
Stress was also given to capacity building measures in Bescom. In this regard, tenders had been floated. “These measures will be outsourced. It has been mandatory for the companies to have a tie up with those in South Asia. This is going to cost around Rs. 3 crore,” he added.
