JSEB: Competition threat

Jamshedpur, June 24: Units in Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority Aiada) are switching off their state electricity board connections in favour of Jusco power, scheduled to start by September.

Frequent power cuts and unfair practices by Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) officials are discouraging these industrialists from JSEB connections. With a private player set to enter the arena, the power board seems to be on the losing side.

At least three medium-scale industrial units in Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority’s large sector area are waiting for Jusco to start their electricity supply. JSEB could lose more customers as the existing companies are also likely to switch to Jusco power.

Sources in the industrial area said the three medium-scale companies in Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority’s had in January applied for 33-KVA connections from JSEB’s Seraikela division.

But the power authorities delayed granting connections allegedly to get bribes. Despite several efforts, the units were unable to get the high-tension connections.

When the industrialists learnt of Jusco’s plans to enter the domestic and industrial power sectors in Adityapur, they stopped trying to get the JSEB connections and have decided to make Jusco their electricity provider.

A source involved with the operations of the units in the small-scale circle said: “The management of these three industries have postponed production from June to October, anticipating to get a Jusco connection after it begins distribution of power later this year.”

The fact that Jusco power is costlier that JSEB’s has not dissuaded these industrialists.

A senior JSEB official said he was not aware of the issue. However, superintending engineer (Jamshedpur circle) A.N. Trivedi said he would look into the issue and take it up with his superiors.

“It is a serious issue that some industrial units are discarding JSEB connections. Such a development is bound to cause losses to the power board. I will look into the matter so that remedial measures are implemented,” said Trivedi, adding that harassing any industrial consumer is tantamount to sabotage.

Industrial consumers in Adityapur generate huge revenues for JSEB and if the board is unable to match the services being provided by Jusco, it would not be difficult to assume that the future of JSEB is grim.

Taking note of the situation, a senior JSEB official, on condition of anonymity, said the power board is a commercial organisation lacking the expertise of private operators. Private players have a marketing division and sell their product. But JSEB has a “public welfare” tag, which will make it suffer irreparable losses if new policies are not adopted at the apex level, he added.