Power connection process simplified
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2015: In tandem with a campaign to covert all illegal power consumers into lawful consumers, the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has relaxed all the lengthy procedures which generally entail applications for new power connections.

If one possesses any identity card issued by the Government, one can become lawful power consumers at a minimal cost without wasting any time.

According to a key official of MSPDCL, the State's total number of households is 4.57 lakh.

Out of these, 2.3 lakh households are lawful power consumers while 1.5 lakh households are illegal consumers.

All the lengthy procedures and time-consuming norms generally associated with application for new connections were eased with a view to transform all the illegal power consumers into lawful consumers, said the official.

Illegal power consumers of the State as well as households who have no power connection till date may apply for power connection at the office of the company's Deputy General Manager and SDO offices by collecting simple forms after producing either voter identity card, driving licence, ration card, PAN card, passport, BPL card, bank passbook, pension book or Aadhar card.

If the new power connection is single phase, consumers should pay Rs 800 as security deposit and Rs 400 as service charge.

For three phase connections, they should deposit Rs 2000 as security deposit.

The campaign to convert all illegal power consumers into lawful consumers would be carried out at district headquarters, sub-divisional headquarters, municipal areas and market places starting from January 27 till the month of March, informed the official.

For people who possess BPL cards, they may apply for power connection free of cost after obtaining a card issued by the revenue authority.

New connection forms can also be downloaded from the company's website www.mspdcl.com.

However, if the illegal consumers still refuse to grab this opportunity, befitting action would be initiated in collaboration with police.

In the meantime, the company has initiated necessary measures to enable pre-paid power consumers recharge their power requirements online.

A Facebook page named MSPDCL- Manipur has also been launched so that all the people can learn about all the activities of the company.

People may also upload suggestions on the same page towards improvement of the State's overall power situation.

Saying that the company has been spending Rs 21 crore per month in purchasing power while the power bills collected from the consumers stand at just around Rs 8 crore, the official appealed to all power consumers to pay bills in time so that the power situation can be improved further.

Meanwhile, MANIREDA which was earlier functioning under Science and Technology Department has been brought under the control of Power Department in accordance with a Cabinet decision, informed the source.

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