Ensure uninterrupted power supply in summer: Bhatti

At a meeting with officials Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (SPDCL) on action plan for supply of electricity in summer season at the B R Ambedkar Secretariat here on Tuesday, he reviewed the details about the demand for power during last summer, expected demand this summer and plans being formulated to meet that demand.

He instructed that as all facilities were provided as sought by the officials, to ensure that there would be no interruption in power supply even for a minute in summer months. Noting that power supply is an essential and sensitive issue, Bhatti said that officials and staff should keep this in mind and be alert round the clock.

The electricity department officers at all levels should conduct meetings to evaluate their preparedness to tackle the problems they might face at the field level and awareness be created even among consumers.

Everyone in the Energy department from lineman to Minister should work like one family. Any problem at the field level should be immediately reported to the superior officer by phone and if there was no response, it should be escalated to the next higher officer and the staff should not hesitate even to call him if required, Bhatti told the officers.

The government is ready to provide all the facilities required at the field level to the officers and they could ask for anything, he said. Referring to services provided by the electricity department in Hyderabad through emergency vehicles, he said such services should also be extended to rural areas.

Bhatti instructed that as all approvals sought by the officers were given, the construction of all the sub stations and other works would be completed by March 1. He also reviewed the increasing load burden on the sub stations during the last three years. He directed the officials to start giving incentive awards in the electricity department to staff who put in good service.

He recalled that in the recent floods, staff worked hard for restoration of power supply even during midnight. Such persons should be recognised and rewarded, he said. He said officials should create awareness to staff on changes taking place in the energy sector. It was required to educate staff about the changes in the alternative power generation, he added.

Wide publicity be given to emergency phone number 1912 for resolving power supply issues. Every consumer is sent SMS about this number and the number should be mentioned even in electricity bills dispatched to the consumers.

The government is ready to allocate needed funds for strengthening the department with the required number of staff, technical support. Bhatti who is also the Energy Minister reviewed with CEOs of different wings about the availability of equipment in the stores and measures being taken to meet the demand in the coming days. He inquired about measures taken to address the grievances and complaints received during last year.