The Hindu : Kerala News : Consumers can have electronic meters of their choice

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 18, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Consumers can have electronic meters of their choice

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, SEPT. 17. Electricity consumers will henceforth be allowed to install electronic meters of their choice to record domestic power consumption in the State.

The Electricity Minister, Aryadan Mohammed, told presspersons here today that the consumers could either purchase the electronic device available in the market or use the ones provided by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). However, the meters installed by consumers would be examined by the KSEB officials to check their functioning before installation. This decision was taken in view of the raging controversy over the electronic meters supplied by the KSEB.

Special schemes

Earlier, addressing party workers at a reception accorded to him and the Health Minister, K.K. Ramachandran, at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office here, Mr. Aryadan said special schemes were being worked out for North Kerala. One of them was the launching a `trouble call management squad' in Kozhikode within 100 days. The scheme would be introduced in Kochi also. The system was now available only in Thiruvananthapuram.

Priorities

Giving electricity connections to people in hilly terrains and coastal belts, working out a major power generation project in Kozhikode, taking steps to solve the voltage and connection problems in North Kerala and improving the power facilities in the backward areas of the State would be given top priority, he said.

The Minister said the total debt of the KSEB was Rs.5,000 crores and that it was going at a loss of Rs.1,000 every year. Even then, the Government was committed to fulfilling the needs of the people. Plans were being chalked out to give 1.5 lakh electricity connections, commission 20 new sub-stations and give 10,000 free connections to the poor within the next 100 days.

Call to sink differences

Mr. Aryadan, while referring to the factional feuds in the Congress party, exhorted party workers to sink their differences. Groupism should not cross the limits. If Congressmen stood united, the party could not only emerge victorious in the coming three-tier local body polls but also return to power after the Assembly elections.

Laurels for Antony

He appreciated the good efforts taken by the Antony Government such as getting the Centre's sanction for the International Transhipment Container Terminal at Vallarppadam and releasing funds to the tune of Rs.1448 crores to the local bodies for grassroots development of the State.

In his reply speech, Mr. Ramachandran said the Oommen Chandy Government would continue with the development activities initiated by the Antony Government. A concerted effort would be taken to improve the health sector in the State.

The Kozhikode DCC president, M. Veerankutty, presided over the function.

The Thiruvambadi MLA and Indian Union Muslim League leader, C. Moinkutty, the INTUC leader, K. Sadiri Koya, M.T. Padma, former Minister, and N.P. Moideen and K.C. Abu, Congress leaders, were present.

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