Nagpur: MSEDCL has severely pulled up SNDL over poor consumer service and asked it to take immediate remedial steps. In a review meeting held recently, MSEDCL chief engineer RG Sheikh and nodal officer MG Wath pointed out several flaws in SNDL's operations.The two MSEDCL officers expressed concern over increase in breakdowns in SNDL areas. "Most of the breakdowns were due to snapping of jumpers and conductors. SNDL was asked to crimp all the jumpers and conductors and also to trim trees, service wire revamping as a part of routine and monsoon maintenance. Other steps would also have to be taken to minimize the interruptions," said a MSEDCL source.SNDL officials told Sheikh and Wath that crimping of conductors was proposed at 4,000 locations. "The franchisee was asked to submit feeder-wise schedule for crimping of jumpers and conductors by end of this week," the source further said.SNDL officials were also told that the franchisee was not handling billing related issues properly. "Sheikh directed SNDL to train its ground level staff to handle consumer complaints and satisfy consumer grievance in a proper manner," said the MSEDCL official.Sheikh also expressed displeasure over inadequate capital expenditure on power infrastructure by SNDL. "The franchisee officials were asked to improve the infrastructure where connections have been given on long service wires. This would reduce electrical accidents and consumer grievances on voltage fluctuations," he added.MSEDCL has received complaints regarding improper procedure followed by SNDL during anti-power theft operations. "Sheikh asked SNDL to clearly mention the details of Section of Indian Electricity Act, 2003, under which a theft case was booked, on the spot inspection report and panchnama provided to the accused consumer," he further said.Wath told SNDL that it had booked some consumers, who had applied for change in tariff category, under Section 126 of Indian Electricity Act, 2003 (unauthorized use of electricity). "These consumers had applied for change from residential to commercial. Still they were booked by SNDL. The franchisee was told to immediately redress the grievances of such consumers," the source further said.Commenting on MSEDCL's charges, a SNDL officer said that number of breakdowns had increased due to manifold increase in power demand during summer."We have done Rs300 crore capital investment and are maintaining adequate inventory of spares. SNDL denies the charge that our staffers are not dealing with consumers properly. There is no space in the power theft spot inspection report to mention the section under which the consumer has been booked," the official added.

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