Utility  Performance Monitoring is one of major gaps in Indian distribution utility or DISCOMs. The major reason is missing measurements and analytics to drive decisions and implementations. Even the MIS that gets created (inspite of its questionable integrity) is not…

There are ongoing lot of controversies about Power Distribution Franchisee (DF) applications and transparency of businesses running them. While some of them are definitely right and need to be intervened, but many of them are arising from missing information. Our…

The current approach to furnish baseline information for Distribution Franchisee (DF) RFP undertaken by the utility has following limitations: Very high level indicators (on distribution losses; collection efficiencies; customer mix and connected load distribution, arrear’s for each consumer class, brief…

An obvious question with so much projected on Distribution Franchisee (DF) model is:   What real gains both the utility and end-consumers could expect coming out of the Distribution Franchisee model? While Bhiwandi implementation of Distribution Franchisee has shown increased…

The Forum of Regulators Report on Standardization of the Distribution Franchisee model (September 2010) mentions that the objectives of appointing a distribution franchisee, inter alia, are:i. To minimise Aggregate Distribution and Commercial lossesii. To bring improvement in Metering, Billing and Revenue…

This is a comparative view of top level findings developed using the location specific reports of Gwalior, Datia and Bhind available here along with 6 other districts in Madhya Pradesh (MP). Regional traits like urban/ rural development differentiation are strikingly clear; Customer…

Chhattisgarh also has entered into the race of Power Distribution Franchising with its announcement of one of Raipur O&M Division named Baloda Bazar. The size of the project is smaller than all the recent 9 districts Distribution Franchisee in Madhya…

Madhya Pradesh (MP) Energy Dept. has taken a bold step with decision to private franchise 9 MP district’s Power Distribution simultaneously. This is unique as there is less than 9 total operational Input based Power Distribution Franchisees (DF) pan India at…

A recent publication from Prayas on ‘Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Program – Urgent need for mid-course correction‘ gave a very good overview of RGGVY program, its features and progress. Some key observations made: Total 1.1 lakhs Rural Franchisees in India (detailed distribution…

Consumer centricity has returned or finding its way into most of the businesses in emerging economy like India. Consumer ‘needs’ and ‘willingness to pay’ for good quality products and services is driving a whole new era of competition. It first…