State mulls single power centre

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 4

The Haryana Government has mooted a proposal to merge both its power distribution companies — Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN).

In a letter to the UHVBN, DHBVN, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) and Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN), Additional Chief Secretary (Power) Rajan Gupta has directed them to convene a meeting next week and discuss the financial implications of a merger and also look into the legal formalities required for the purpose.

At the time of unbundling of erstwhile Haryana State Electricity Board (HSEB) in 1998, the government had created two power distribution companies on the pretext of giving best services to consumers. Now, the government has again taken the plea that it wants to manage its resources in the best possible manner. Hence, it proposed the merger, raising doubts about the previous decision of then government to create two companies.

“Both discoms follow separate policies, resulting into several administrative problems. Everyone agrees that a single distribution entity will be a more efficient organisation for handling the complex issue of distribution of power in the state,” says the letter by Gupta.

The DHBVN manages power supply to Bhiwani, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Hisar, Jind, Narnaul and Sirsa circles. The government has 69.61 per cent of shares of the DHBVN, while the rest is with the HVPN.

“The government must take all employees into confidence and share its plan with all before taking any step,” said KD Bansal, president of the Haryana Power Engineers’ Association.

The UHBVN is responsible for power distribution in the north zone of Haryana, comprising Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Sonepat, Rohtak, Panipat, Jhajjar and Kaithal circles. The government holds 66 per cent of shares of the UHBVN, while the remaining shares are with the HVPN.

Nitin Yadav, Managing Director, UHBVN, confirmed that the proposal for merging the UHBVN and DHBVN was under consideration.

“The discussions are on. The purpose is to utilise the resources in the best way. Since both companies supervise distribution, merger can bring improvement in the functioning of both and help us in reducing cost,” he added.