The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) will soon be launching online submission of application for new electricity connections in the State. e-Seva centres will be roped in to help citizens make their application.
A senior official of Tangedco said the Information Technology department was working on the computerisation project and once the software for the project was completed, it would probably be rolled out by July. He said customers wanting electricity connections could submit their application forms along with valid documents at the e-Seva centres for a nominal fee. Also the Tangedco website will also host the online application facility along with online electricity payment gateway.
The online application for electricity connections is part of a bigger project to simplify the procedures involved in getting electricity connection. The project was based on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report 2015 which brought to focus the need for simplifying the procedures involved in getting power. Referring to the study the Ministry of Commerce and Industry advised the Ministry of Power to formulate a policy to do so.
The Power Ministry, after taking stock of the procedures involved in getting power connections from various distribution companies (discoms) in the country, formulated a policy called ‘3-step-procedure’ to get an electricity connection within 15 days against the present one-month period. The three-step formula on submission of online application involved field inspection to be carried out within three days; the process of estimate preparation, load sanction and intimation of fee deposit to be done within four days and electricity to be connected along with meter installation within eight days.
Though the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also requested the State Electricity Regulatory authorities to make provision for low tension connection up to 200 kilo-volt and determine a fixed tariff, a senior official of Tangedco clarified that the status quo will continue with respect to these provisions.
