An extensive revenue generation drive from defaulters is currently on at LESA. But while meters are being disconnected and FIRs being made with an eye on generating more funds, the monthly revenue collection received by LESA has suffered tremendously due to certain inadvertent changes.
There are close to 10 lakh electric connections in Lucknow. LESA has to undergo a monumental task of getting meter reading done for all the subscribers every month. Owing to the fact that LESA does not have the resources and staff to carry forth this exercise on its own, the task of taking meter-readings is outsourced to private parties.
Until now, four companies were doing the job with circles allotted to each one of them in Lucknow. Problem arose in Circle I (covering most of Old Lucknow including Chowk) and Circle III (covering two divisions, viz. Aishbagh and Alambagh divisions) when Signals and Systems India Ltd wound up its work from Circle I and Alambagh Division of Circle III and Sai Computers, another company handling Aishbagh division of Circle III was asked to take care of meter-readings in the areas handled by Signals and Systems India Ltd.
The problem arose when Signals and Systems, whose services were being given extensions of one month each, for reasons best known to LESA. Signals and Systems wanted an extension of at least six months to be able to do the job better. But this was not admissible to LESA, who have already opened fresh tenders and short-listed four companies, all of whom will commence work from beginning of March. Owing to its demand not met, Signals and Systems gave notice to LESA on 20th of last month that it was winding up its work and consequently Sai Systems was asked to take care of meter reading in Circle I as well as Alambagh division of Circle III till the end of February after which the newly short-listed companies will take over.
Severe problems emanated as consequence of this, as Sai Computers was not prepared – neither strength-wise nor aware of the geographical location of Circle I – informs Mohammad Firoz, Executive Engineer, Circle I, LESA. Consequently, the regular payers of bill could not come to pay as out of about 8000 readings that should have been made till when this correspondent made enquiries, Sai was able to complete taking only 1000 readings. More than 7 lakh rupee worth of payments are received from the consumers through cheques, who pay at time when men from these companies visit their houses, that revenue too has been severally hit.
Owing to this, revenue collection in Circle I has been severally hit, rues Mohammad Firoz, though he could have done little to change the situation.
The problem is as severe in Alambagh division of Circle III as well where BK Singh, Executive Engineer responsible for this area, is resorting to frantic efforts like print advertisements and loudspeaker announcements to make the consumers aware of the situation and ask them to deposit the bills after taking the reading themselves.
This also hit revenue collection at Aishbagh division of Circle III when Sai shifted some of its work force to Circle I and Alambagh division of Circle III. However, VK Kaushik, Executive Engineer at Circle III feels there is no cause for dissatisfaction from Sai Computers as they are only doing their job though he agrees that there is always scope for improvement.
This problem is likely to continue till the end of February as Sai Computers is not likely to recruit much in this area, as it is uncertain whether it will continue to work in the same area after fresh tenders. Until March, Old Lucknow as well as Alambagh division is to remain severally hit both in terms of customer satisfaction and revenue collection. Till then Mohammad Firoz and BK Singh are left with no choice but to advertise in newspapers and use loudspeakers, asking consumers to take their own readings and deposit the amount on the basis of that, efforts that they are already making.
However, till new companies take over in March, the revenue generation drive from defaulters has become a frantic revenue collection drive from the regular payers and particularly Mohammad Firoz and BK Singh, the two Executive Engineers whose area got most affected, were left with no choice but to shift focus, in this exigency.
There are close to 10 lakh electric connections in Lucknow. LESA has to undergo a monumental task of getting meter reading done for all the subscribers every month. Owing to the fact that LESA does not have the resources and staff to carry forth this exercise on its own, the task of taking meter-readings is outsourced to private parties.
Until now, four companies were doing the job with circles allotted to each one of them in Lucknow. Problem arose in Circle I (covering most of Old Lucknow including Chowk) and Circle III (covering two divisions, viz. Aishbagh and Alambagh divisions) when Signals and Systems India Ltd wound up its work from Circle I and Alambagh Division of Circle III and Sai Computers, another company handling Aishbagh division of Circle III was asked to take care of meter-readings in the areas handled by Signals and Systems India Ltd.
The problem arose when Signals and Systems, whose services were being given extensions of one month each, for reasons best known to LESA. Signals and Systems wanted an extension of at least six months to be able to do the job better. But this was not admissible to LESA, who have already opened fresh tenders and short-listed four companies, all of whom will commence work from beginning of March. Owing to its demand not met, Signals and Systems gave notice to LESA on 20th of last month that it was winding up its work and consequently Sai Systems was asked to take care of meter reading in Circle I as well as Alambagh division of Circle III till the end of February after which the newly short-listed companies will take over.
Severe problems emanated as consequence of this, as Sai Computers was not prepared – neither strength-wise nor aware of the geographical location of Circle I – informs Mohammad Firoz, Executive Engineer, Circle I, LESA. Consequently, the regular payers of bill could not come to pay as out of about 8000 readings that should have been made till when this correspondent made enquiries, Sai was able to complete taking only 1000 readings. More than 7 lakh rupee worth of payments are received from the consumers through cheques, who pay at time when men from these companies visit their houses, that revenue too has been severally hit.
Owing to this, revenue collection in Circle I has been severally hit, rues Mohammad Firoz, though he could have done little to change the situation.
The problem is as severe in Alambagh division of Circle III as well where BK Singh, Executive Engineer responsible for this area, is resorting to frantic efforts like print advertisements and loudspeaker announcements to make the consumers aware of the situation and ask them to deposit the bills after taking the reading themselves.
This also hit revenue collection at Aishbagh division of Circle III when Sai shifted some of its work force to Circle I and Alambagh division of Circle III. However, VK Kaushik, Executive Engineer at Circle III feels there is no cause for dissatisfaction from Sai Computers as they are only doing their job though he agrees that there is always scope for improvement.
This problem is likely to continue till the end of February as Sai Computers is not likely to recruit much in this area, as it is uncertain whether it will continue to work in the same area after fresh tenders. Until March, Old Lucknow as well as Alambagh division is to remain severally hit both in terms of customer satisfaction and revenue collection. Till then Mohammad Firoz and BK Singh are left with no choice but to advertise in newspapers and use loudspeakers, asking consumers to take their own readings and deposit the amount on the basis of that, efforts that they are already making.
However, till new companies take over in March, the revenue generation drive from defaulters has become a frantic revenue collection drive from the regular payers and particularly Mohammad Firoz and BK Singh, the two Executive Engineers whose area got most affected, were left with no choice but to shift focus, in this exigency.
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