COIMBATORE: A shortage of electricity meters has affected the installation of new ones and replacement of faulty ones. Around 5,000 consumers who have applied for new electricity connections or replacement of faulty meters in the Coimbatore region have been reportedly waiting for more than a month.
Coimbatore region comprises seven electricity distribution circles. Sources say the shortage of static meter has existed for more than two months now.
"The primary reason is that TANGEDCO headquarters do not purchase new meters. The supply of new meters to the regions has been stopped completely for more than three weeks. This problem has been reported from across the state," sources added.
The TNEB Thozhilalar Poriyalar Aykkia Sangam's secretary, K Veerasamy, told TNIE that routine work is affected in TANGEDCO section offices as applicants often visit to enquire about the status of new connections for their houses.
"The staff inform the applicants that new connections will be provided once meters are received. Officers should take steps to distribute the meters quickly to the offices," he requested.
Coimbatore Consumer Voice, secretary N Logu, told TNIE that around 5,000 applicants had not received the meter for a month in seven EDCs such as Metro, North, South, Palladam, etc in the Coimbatore region.
"As per the norm, if an applicant applies for a new electricity connection, TANGEDCO should give a connection within seven days.
Earlier, TANGEDCO was giving electricity connection within one or two days. Now, applicants are forced to wait for a month due to the non-availability of meters," he alleged.
What are the options available for power consumers then? "The TNERC has already said that if there is no meter, consumers can purchase new ones from the market and provide them to TANGEDCO staff so that new connections can be given and faulty meters can be replaced. However, the staff of TANGEDCO fails to do this," he said.
When asked about it, the Chief Engineer of TANGEDCO Coimbatore region, K Kuppurani has denied these allegations and he told TNIE that they provided meters to around 5,000 applicants 10 days ago.
"In the last seven days we received 3,900 applications for seeking new meters. We have taken steps to get the new meters from TANGEDCO headquarters. As soon as new meters arrive, it will be provided to the concerned Electric Distribution Circle (EDC)," she added.
When contacted, TANGEDCO CMD Rajesh Lakhani told TNIE, "There was no issue till last week. Already, we have ordered 20 lakh new static meters and as soon as we get them we distribute meters to all regions."