MSEDCL faulty meter readings drop from 48% to 3% across Maharashtra; brings additional revenue of Rs 575 crore

MUMBAI: The MSEDCL has reduced faulty meter readings from 48% to 3% across Maharashtra. This has helped it recover an additional Rs 575 crore for the state power utility.
"It is an effort which we took at grassroot level to check every meter reader and dismiss those who did not perform well," said MSEDCL managing director Vijay Singhal.
He said that after a detailed assessment in every area, zone and division, the MSEDCL took a big decision to stop services of meter reading agencies at 76 sub divisions as meter readers were found to have maximum faulty readings.
"The faulty readings led to losses for the power utility. And now with the action taken and proper readers appointed, we have seen an increase in billed units -- around 825 million units -- across the state over the past three months. This is a major feat for the department," he said.
The faulty meter readings in the past were due to photographs of meter readings not taken properly. They were either blurred or the reading was not visible properly. "Correct photo reading and billing is the crux of proper consumer billing. Defaults in meter reading activity not only results in average billing of the consumer but also results in billing grievances as well as revenue losses to MSEDCL," Singhal added.
Apart from the termination of defaulting meter reading agencies, 41 officials of the MSEDCL have also been issued showcause notices in connection with cases of faulty meter readings. Now, meter reading performance of each and every meter reading agency is being closely monitored from the MSEDCL headquarters.