All Assam Engineer’s Association bats for proactive power reform initiative

June 15: Appreciating the Assam government in Dispur for the recent actions to improve the power sector scenario in the State, All Assam Engineer’s Association (AAEA) urges State chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to take a comprehensive initiative so that the government-run power companies can perform efficiently. The forum of graduate engineers, while lauding CM Sarma’s decision to reorganize the managements of Assam   Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL),   Assam   Power   Generation Corporation Ltd (APGCL) and Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd (AEGCL), expresses hope that the new authorities would function responsibly.

Mentionable is that Sarma, in presence of State power minister Bimal Bora, State chief secretary Jishnu Baruah, top officials of three government sponsored power companies with other dignitaries, recently emphasized on designing modalities to increase the revenue generations along with quality services to the consumers.

Expressing his concern over revenue losses, Sarma asked the power companies to be innovative and look for ways to increase the profits. He cited about some  fraudulent consumers adopting  dubious methods to reduce their electricity bills  and many avoiding due payments, which has caused a huge loss. He directed the power companies to design modalities and plug  the loopholes.

The AAEA pointed out that the definition of fraudulent  consumers should not get limited to the house-hold consumers alone as  many big industries are suspected to be involved with such evil practices. Unethical co-operations  from a section of electricity officials/ workers to those high profile consumers can not be ruled
out, asserted the forum insisting on necessary vigilances against such anomalies.

“Assam government should consider enhancing the production of electricity to meet the peak-hour demand (nearly 2000 mega watt) of the consumers. It should also rigorously explore newer fields of renewable and clean technology like solar and wind power,” observed an AAEA statement adding that the transmission and distribution losses must be reduced drastically.

The government (in consultation with the Centre) may think of endorsing the energy efficient DC (direct current) electricity distribution system. Lately it has been popularized in European countries, avoiding the centuries old AC (alternating current) technologies, primarily for the reason of energy efficiency. “Firstly, most of home appliances like computers, televisions, mobile phones, music systems, battery operated baby’s play items, inverters, LED bulbs, electric vehicles, etc run on DC and hence each item essentially needs an AC-DC electricity converter for functioning,” asserted the statement.

Secondly, the solar energy is always generated as DC power only. The wind power can be produced as both in both AC or DC modes. Moreover, it  added, all the motor run appliances like  washing machines, fans, refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, mixer-grinders, chimneys, dish washers, dryers, etc can be operated by a DC source with required vaults.

Endorsed by   AAEA president Er Kailash Sarma, working president Er Nava J Thakuria, secretary Er Inamul Hye, honourable members Er Achinta Bezbarua, Er Vavani Sarma, Er Bhaskar J Barua, Er Alok Das, Er Rajiv Sarma and Er NK Haloi.