THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MAY 5, 2026
Asserting that
uninterrupted, safe and consumer-friendly power supply must remain
non-negotiable, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on
Tuesday directed all power utilities to stay on high alert and ensure swift grievance
redressal ahead of the peak summer season and approaching Nor’wester storms.
Chairing a high-level
review meeting of the Energy Department at Lok Seva Bhawan, Singh Deo took
stock of preparedness measures with senior officials, including Additional
Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma and
CEOs of all DISCOMs. He stressed that consumers must receive uninterrupted,
quality power supply across the State, with zero tolerance for delays in
addressing complaints.
Emphasizing
accountability and system reliability, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed DISCOMs
to adhere strictly to timelines for resolving consumer grievances and to deploy
only high-quality materials in maintenance and restoration works to prevent
recurring faults. He underscored that efficient service delivery must go hand
in hand with courteous and proactive engagement by field-level staff, ensuring
that consumer interactions reflect responsiveness and empathy.
To further strengthen
grievance redressal, Singh Deo called for scaling up dedicated teams to handle
consumer complaints, particularly during peak demand and adverse weather
conditions. He also reviewed critical public safety concerns linked to
electrical infrastructure, issuing firm directions on regulating hoardings and
billboards near power lines.
Highlighting the risks posed by strong winds during Nor’westers, he instructed DISCOMs to work closely with urban local bodies to enforce strict structural safety norms for all installations, thereby minimizing accident risks.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to providing reliable 24x7 electricity, Singh Deo directed all officials to remain vigilant throughout the summer months. The Energy Department and DISCOMs have been asked to submit weekly compliance reports to ensure that all directives are implemented effectively and without delay.
