Grama Vidyuth Prathinidhi (GVP) : A project initiated by HESCOM

In its endeavor to improve the customer relationship by bringing management expertise through community participation HESCOM introduced the Project “GVP” (Gram Vidyut Pratinidhi). This concept is the first step towards retailing of electricity, which is successfully implemented in HESCOM.

Purpose of the project:

• To provide “service at the door step” to rural consumers.
• To improve the revenue situation pertaining to the energy sector (both in terms of improved collections as well as reduced losses) from villages.
• To build institutional capacity at the Gram Panchayat level or at a feeder level in order to ensure that they are ready to retail electricity on behalf of the HESCOM on a commercial basis.
• To improve quality of customer service in the energy sector for rural consumers.
• To educate consumers about they’re rights and responsibilities pertaining to electricity.

The Intervention:

• Involvement of gram panchayats to manage the commercial side of electricity related affairs of the panchayat area.
• Electricity being a basic tool for the overall development of the panchayats, it will ensure co-operation to HESCOM.
• Each panchayat s a “gram vidyut pratinidhi”(gvp) to carry out the various revenue related activities.

Role of Gram Panchayat:
• GP president/representative participates in the ion of the respective GVPs.
• Introduce and support GVP
• Observe the performance of GVP on day today basis closely and regularly.
• To Assist GVP during crisis
• To act as bridge between consumers, HESCOM and GVP.

Role of Gram Vidyut Pratinidhi:
• Meter reading, Bill distribution and Revenue collection on behalf of HESCOM.
• Registering and redresses complaints
• Attending to the grievances of low tension consumers like domestic, AEH, commercial, IP sets and small industries.
• Giving feed back about field realities to the HESCOM on regular basis.
• GVPs survey all the transformers and completes pole line diagram under their Gram Panchayats.

Training Program:

Pedagogy: The ed GVPs undergo 10 days classroom and 5 days field training.
Training program was given to them to give knowledge about
• Over all performance of power sector, the present happenings related to power sector, role of ESComs, and role of KPTCL and role of KERC.
• Role and responsibilities of GVP. Prepare and study village level MIS reports.
• Present tariff structure of HESCOM.
• Complaint handling and costumer satisfaction

• T and D losses and how to control distribution losses.
• Prepare and Study the village road map to plan resource allocation
• Surveyed distribution transformers and preparation of Pole Line diagrams
• Identify power pilferage and to reduce commercial losses

The Result of the Project:

The project executed in three phases in HESCOM in 39 taluaks

Phase- [|]-The Pilot Project from July 2003.

• Areas covered: Kalaghatagi, Navalgund, Shirahati, Hirekerur and Biligi Taluaks.

Phase- [||]- In 11 Talukas from Jan. 2004

• Area Covered: Kundgol, Yellapur, Mundgod, Dharwad, Ron, Hangal, Badami, Raibagh,
Ramdurga, Indi and Shindhgi.

Phase-[|||]- In 23 Talukas from 1st May 2004

• Area Covered: Kanapur, gadag, Haveri, Mundaragi, Nargund, Ranebennur, Byadgi, Savanur, Shiggaov, Siddapur, Athani, Gokak, Chikkodi, Nippani, Bailhongal, Soudatti, Bijapur Rural, Basavan Bagewadi, Muddebihal, Bagalkot, Ilkal, Jamakhandi, Mudhol.

• Total no of GVP: 1116 GVPs are working.

Starting of commercial activities: The commercial activities have been started in these 23 talukas from 1st May.

The impact:

• Revenue Collection: The collection has gone up from Rs.7, 63,01,973 To Rs. 8,57,63,369 in just 7 months of GVP Operation in pilot and 3 Months in second phase operation.
• Consumer satisfaction: The quick redress of complaints enhances the brand image of the company and makes a consumer satisfied. During the 7 months operation apart from meter changing or installing new meters, minor bill related complaints, HESCOM has attended. 569 Complaints given by GVPs.
• Regularisation: GVPs identified unauthorized consumers in their area of Operation and regularized 1078 consumers.

Implementing agency: The programme is implemented by Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. At taluka level for Phase-1 and Phase-2.However the phase-3 operation will be started from May-04.The operation of XIMB includes ion and training to the GVPs. After the training guiding and monitoring GVPs to achieve the fixed target. Co-oridinating with local HESCOM offices for required support. Preparation of various MIS formats, Data analysis and preparation of MIS reports.

The GVP monitoring cell: Apart from local Hescom monitoring system, in corporate level a cell is present. Director Technical, HESCOM, heads the cell and other members are DCA(Rev) of HESCOM