The private power distribution company Southco has completely failed in restoring electricity supply to Phailin-hit Ganjam district, alleged engineers serving the company.
Speaking at a press conference of the Southco Power Engineers Association (SPEA) in the city on Thursday, general secretary of association B.C.Jena said the progress of restoration work was still tardy, and at this pace it may take another two months to get power supply network in the district restored to its pre-Phailin state. It may be noted that the Ganjam district administration has already passed strict orders to Southco to work towards resuming power supply to all panchayats, Primary Health Centres , and Community Health Centres (CHC), drinking water supply systems of rural and urban areas, ATM counters and BSNL mobile communication towers by November 26.
Thwarting claims of the Southco, the SPEA members said that till now only fifty per cent of the restoration work was complete. Out of 5.51 lakh electricity consumers in Phailin-hit Ganjam district 2.75 lakh consumers had got back electricity after more than a month after the cyclone.
The SPEA alleged that the ‘Reliance Infrastructure’, which is managing the Southco, had not spent a paisa for the restoration work while the government was spending for the purpose. They also reiterated that the Reliance Infrastructure company had also not renewed its license for managing the Southco since 2004 and the state of affairs after the Phailin Cyclone had proved that the private corporate body was completely incapable to manage the power distribution company to provide proper service to consumers.
After the devastation, the management of the power distribution company remained paralysed for several days and could start the restoration work only when government assured to provide material and man power for the purpose, SPEA added. Mr Jena said the restoration work was executed on labour payment basis rather than work contract basis which delayed the restoration process.