The Hindu : Front Page : Plea to bring distcos under RTI

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 10, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Plea to bring distcos under RTI

Staff Reporter

‘Discrepancies’ in billing, poor service irk consumers

Power companies obtain stay from court
High Court urged to dispose of cases

BHUBANESWAR: Ever since private companies took over power distribution services following the power sector reforms in Orissa, complaints about poor infrastructure and discrepancies in monthly bills are piling up.

But nobody can make the service providers accountable using the Right to Information Act as the distribution companies (distcos) have been claiming that they do not come under purview of the revolutionary Act and are not liable to release information.

RTI activists, union leaders in the power sector and the general public are now demanding that the service providers be made answerable under the Act.

When the RTI was formally adopted by the State government, the departments of Energy and Law had in fact tried to bring power distcos into the fold of the RTI. But the private companies sought court’s intervention and got a favourable interim order by which they kept a safe distance from being questioned by consumers.

“The private distcos should be treated as public authority. Sub-section (H) of Section II of the Right to Information Act 2005 clearly says non-government organisation which is substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the government should provide information,” RTI activist Biswapriya Kanungo said.

Major players

Four distribution companies such as CESU, WESCO, NESCO and SOUTHCO (last three are managed by Reliance Energy) are in charge of electricity supply to all corners of the State.

“But during last 15 years, no investment has been made to improve power infrastructure in the State. More than 30 lakh consumers have been paying monthly bills to the private companies whereas they cannot demand quality power,” Ramesh Satpathy, Secretary of the National Institute of Indian Labour, lamented. Mr. Satpathy said after reform these companies had automatically taken control over permanent assets owned by State government at a subsidised rate and now they should not shy away from their responsibilities.

Similarly, Sovan Kanungo, who had headed Committee of Independent Experts to review impact of power sector reforms, said since private companies were dealing with public affairs and inheritors of public infrastructure and government had substantial stake in companies, they should provide information to the general masses.

Keeping basic objectives of the RTI Act in view, the High Court should expeditiously dispose of the cases pending regarding the dispute, Mr. Kanungo hoped.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page