BSEB revenue belies hope
Pranava K Chaudhary, TNN, 11 January 2010PATNA: Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB), a state undertaking, has failed to increase its monthly revenue collection. The falling trend of its

monthly revenue has become a matter of concern for the authorities.

In December 2009, the power board earned Rs 125.33 crore, which is a crore less than the collection in the corresponding period in 2008. Over the past year, consumption of power has increased considerably but the revenue has not increased accordingly.

Sources said during the festive season last October, BSEB collected Rs 139.59 crore, which was Rs 148.57 crore in the corresponding period in 2008. Barring November 2009, the monthly revenue collection has not increased in the last three months as compared to the previous year. In November 2009, BSEB collected Rs 134.68 crore which is Rs 4 crore more than the collection in the corresponding period in 2008.

BSEB had lauded its efforts in increasing its monthly revenue earnings by launching a special drive. The board had aimed to achieve a target of Rs 150 crore per month but it has failed to achieve it due to internal turmoil. BSEB is, however, hoping to achieve its target with the change of guard. The new team, comprising BSEB chairman R K Sharma and its member (distribution and rural electrification) P K Roy, is committed to the increase in existing revenue collection for the sustainable growth of the power board, said a BSEB official.

The alleged corruption in BSEB has also affected the work culture of its technical staff. Recently, the state vigilance bureau had arrested its two senior technical officials on corruption charges.

Sources in BSEB said the functioning of the power board would be streamlined soon. Work on the rural electrification would be expedited in the state, said an official.

The big power defaulters would be booked through a special drive. Consumers, particularly commercial, would not be spared in case of tampering of power meters, said an official.