Best practices under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

Introduction

The Government of India has launched the scheme Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana for rural electrification. It aims to provide:

1. Electrification of all unelectrified villages
2. Feeder separation to ensure sufficient power to farmers and regular supply to other consumers
3. Improvement of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure including metering at all levels in rural areas.
4. Improve the quality and reliability of the supply and metering to reduce the losses to provide round the clock power to rural households and adequate power to agricultural consumers.

The Rural Electrification Corporation is the Nodal Agency for implementation of DDUGJY. Focus areas, with regards to implementation of DDUGJY, are:

1. Electrifying sanctioned un-electrified villages
2. Electrifying sanctioned un-electrified BPL households
3. Releasing of electricity connections APL households
4. Setting up a mechanism for receiving complaints regarding faulty meters/ transformers etc. and response time for action
5. Increasing number of hours of supply of power
6. Using of Innovative methods for covering difficult inaccessible areas
7. Ensuring transparency and accountability in implementation of the scheme

Status: 99% of rural electrification work under DDUGJY has been done by April 2, 2018 out of 5,97,464 Villages. Only 298 Villages remain to be electrified. 

Best Practices for Replication

Awareness:

• Banners and posters are being used all across Villages to identify and provide for BPL households.
• To communicate to villagers about free connection and other benefits in Gram Sabhas, awareness workshops are conducted.
• Regular meetings are held with stakeholders such as villagers, public representatives, local community members, etc.
• All villages are provided with mandatory sign boards covering details of the scheme like cost, beneficiary details and contact details of concerned officials.

Adoption of Innovative Practices:

As a best practice, long duration of power supply without any interruption is being provided. In most cases, rural electrification is faced with difficult and inaccessible geographical constraints and hence innovative techniques and local resources are being used.

• In Nagaon, Assam raft made of banana tree trunk were used to transport concrete electric poles to remote villages.
• In order to minimise loss of energy through theft and leakage, insulated Aerial Bunched Conductor (ABC) has been used in Sivaganga, Assam.

Monitoring and Transparency:

Monthly/weekly meetings are being conducted with officials and stakeholders to review progress of the scheme. Project monitoring applications have been developed and are being used for monitoring real time progress of the project.

Grievance redressal:

A 24X7 call center helpline is made available to the public. Response time to complaints is kept to a minimum and districts are moving towards 100% complaint redressal. Problems such as faulty meters and failed transformers are also being addressed swiftly within a given time frame along with being recorded and tracked systematically.

Suggestions for Effective Implementation

Proper surveys should be conducted to assess BPL and APL households. This would ensure maximum coverage and help in execution and implementation. Alongside awareness campaigns should be done across all villages even in difficult geographical terrain so as to make the beneficiary aware of the scheme and to ensure inclusive participation.

Intermittent power supply post electrification is a major problem faced by beneficiaries and results in increased complaints. Faulty meters and failed transformers slowdown the smooth execution of the Scheme. To overcome this issue there should be a strict quality control mechanism to test all equipment used such as metres, transformers, cables, etc. so that the chances of failure decreases. There should be an effective mechanism in place for complaint redressal to ensure all complaints are addressed to the satisfaction of the customers and redressal is done within the minimum possible time.

The District administration relies upon DISCOMS for effective implementation of the Scheme and has to communicate effectively on the requirements to ensure proper implementation of work. The District Administration should ensure that there are regular review meetings conducted and proper monitoring process is adopted. Regular status meetings within the departments and with DISCOMS should take place. Tangible goals along with timelines should be charted out.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Jorhat, Assam

Initiatives Undertaken

A survey was conducted for identification of un-electrified households and domestic and agricultural consumers. Mission mode implementation was undertaken for the sanctioned projects.

• During floods innovative methods like using a raft made of banana tree trunk were used to transport concrete electric poles to remote villages.
• The aerial branch cables covered with cross-linked polyethylene insulator were used to minimise electrical theft.
• Digital metres were installed in the households for transparent billing. The District website could be used to intimate the District Collector (DC) office directly about issues faced by the villagers.
• The beneficiaries were motivated to use power saving devices like LED bulbs which helped save electricity and reduce electricity bill.

The Above Poverty Line (APL) households were persuaded to pay the initial cost so that they could get a multifold return on their investment by increasing the agricultural and fisheries produce. They were also informed that replacing diesel pumps with electrical pumps would result in cutting the cost to one sixth. The Villages were visited monthly by the senior officials of Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) to oversee the inclusion of APL households under DDUGJY. Also, efforts were made to release connections within a short time of their applying for the same.

Monitoring:

Implementation of the programme was evaluated by the DC office through monthly District Development Committee meetings. Fortnightly, a meeting was also held with the turnkey contractor in presence of Gram Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVA) engaged by Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company Limited (RECPDCL) to review the progress.

Grievance Redressal:

The District has operationalised a 24x7 toll free number where rural citizens can register complaints. Copy of the complaint is sent to APDCL and DC office. A copy of the action taken report on the complaint is also sent to the DC office as a follow-up to the grievance redressal. The toll free number is well advertised in local language on transformers in the Villages. In addition, a lineman has also been deployed for a cluster of two-three villages to facilitate direct interaction. Citizens may also register their complaints in the complaint book at nearby sub-stations.

Awareness Generation:

Gram sabha meetings were held and farmer clubs were used as platforms to generate awareness and encourage villagers to apply for a free electricity connection. Revenue officials sensitised and motivated the BPL families to opt for electrification, during their e-Safar tour. Line departments, such as irrigation and agriculture, also held awareness workshops in collaboration with local NGOs to demonstrate benefits of electrification to the villagers.

Impact (01.04.2015 to 31.12.2016)

Total 210 villages and 1,133 sanctioned BPL households were electrified between April 2015 and December 2016. Electricity has been made available for 17-19 hours a day for both domestic and agricultural consumers and load shedding has been reduced from 12 hours to 6 hours. Due to a dedicated transformer for each village, the voltage fluctuation is minimal. Also, use of aerial branch cables for electricity transmission has minimised electricity loss and theft, ensuring stable supply of power.

Steps taken for Electrification

• Awareness drives at village and block levels through public meeting and Gram Sabhas
• Survey at village level by roping in Gram Panchayat functionaries and social organisation at field level
• Identification of agricultural and domestic consumers
• Feeder separation for agricultural and nonagricultural purposes has been proposed
• Identification of unelectrified public households

Steps taken (continued)

• Local Resources used: for survey and identification of unelectrified households
  
  • Gram Panchayat functionaries
  • Farmers’ Clubs
  • Social organisations
• Coverage of remote villages
  
  • Alternate methods of transportation such as rafts were used for transporting electric poles to remote villages

Case Study 2: Sivasagar, Assam

Initiatives Undertaken

Most of the Above Poverty Line (APL) households were already electrified as the District administration was focused towards electrification of BPL households. Local Gram Panchayats were involved for identification of BPL beneficiaries, priority areas for electrification and settlement of disputes arising out of right of way.

Innovative Steps:

• Boats, bullock carts, etc. were used to carry construction materials in flood affected areas.
• Material was procured during rainy season and construction work was undertaken during dry season.
• In order to minimise loss of energy through theft and leakage, insulated Aerial Bunched Conductor (ABC) has been used.
• Static electronic meters have been used for measuring the power delivered to the consumers and network.
• Metering was done at Distribution Transformers (DT) for transformer level energy audit and accounting and LED bulbs were provided to BPL beneficiaries.

Monitoring:

The project was monitored by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) on a day-to day-basis. Monthly review meetings were conducted with contractors and senior level functionaries of APDCL to review project progress.

Grievance Redressal:

Both online and offline complaint redressal systems have been made operational for the villagers. Online complaints can be made through APDCL website, Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System and by email at support@apdcl.org.

The complaints can also be made directly to the AGM (REM) for speedy disposal. Damaged transformers are replaced by contractors during the warranty period and by APDCL after expiry of warranty period. A provision of lodging complaint was also made operational through Revenue Circle Officers. Complaint booths have been made available at subdivisional level and telephone numbers are mentioned on electricity bills for lodging complaints telephonically. Linemen were deployed in each village to address problems related to power supply.

Awareness Generation:

District Administration used local media, regional newspaper, official calendar, etc. to advertise the programme. Awareness programs were also organised at Gram Panchayat level. For APL customers, service connection melas were organised by District Administration from time to time.

Impact (01.04.2015 to 31.12.2016)

Total 135 villages were electrified between April 2015 and December 2016. Electricity has been made available for 24 hours a day during normal season. After warranty period, damaged transformers and faulty meters are replaced by APDCL within seven days. Electrification has given boost to commercial activities by allowing small businesses to operate for long hours.

Innovations in Implementation

Innovations adopted in implementation of priority program including methods used for covering difficult inaccessible areas and innovative use of available resources:

The rainy season in Assam starts in April and lasts upto October hence the working period is only five months. For speedy implementation of the scheme the following methods have been used:

• Use of boats, bullock carts, etc for carrying construction materials in flood affected areas.
• Procurement of materials are done during the rainy season and construction works are done during the dry season viz. November to March.
• Local youths are engaged as labourers for implementation of the scheme.

Case Study 3: Kishanganj, Bihar

Initiatives Undertaken

A number of 63 KVA Distribution Transformers (DT) were installed at strategic locations with use of aerial bundled cable covering densely populated areas. As per sanction of the District under DDUGJY, only 25 KVA DTs were to be installed but on insistence from the State Government installation of 63 KVA DTs were allowed subject to the condition that any marginal increase in the cost will be borne by the State Government. Efforts were made by distribution companies and District Administration to speed up implementation of the programme, which included initiatives such as creation of dedicated project offices and posting of officers.

Innovative Steps:

• Boats were used to transport material to villages situated across river originating from Nepal and close to lndiaNepal border.
• Digging and pitching of poles through machines.
• Customisation of Standard Bidding Document, for wider participation and formulation of a new payment policy which allowed release of 75% payment after electrification of Village.

Monitoring:

• Regular meetings were held by District Administration with project and supply officials for better coordination and monitoring.
• Interactions with sub-contractors were also undertaken for identification of major issues.
• Gram Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVA) were appointed by Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) at District level for monitoring of the project, where GVAs uploaded the project progress on GARV portal.
• A project monitoring application was also developed for monitoring real time progress of the project.

Grievance Redressal:

A District level customer help line number: 05456-2227801 has been made operational for redressal of complaints along with a centralised customer care help line: 18003456198, 1912. Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran Adhikar Adhiniyam further empowers citizens to seek time bound resolution.

Awareness Generation:

A team of young engineers was formed and sent to villages to assess and seek feedback on electrification and interact with mukhiyas and ward members. Door to door survey was conducted under Ghar Ghar Bijli Lagatar for verification of electrified and un-electrified households by use of android based application with embedded GPS coordinates.

Extensive outreach efforts were made by district administration, distribution companies and local officials by organising camps at panchayat level, announcements through loud speakers, distribution of pamphlets and setting up of stalls and camps. Regular interaction with Panchayat level public representatives was made to generate awareness.

Impact (01.04.2015 to 31.12.2016)

Total 110 Villages and 1,02,300 households were electrified between April 2015 and December 2016. Electricity has been made available for 18 to 20 hours a day. Response time of 24 hours (in urban areas) and 72 hours (in rural areas) has been defined for replacement of faulty transformers and for redressal of fuse calls. Breakdown response time has been capped at four hours (for urban areas) and 16 hours (for rural areas).

Case Study 4: Barwani, Madhya Pradesh

Ibitiavtives Undertaken

Villages were electrified through conventional sources i.e. by extending electrical lines and creating adequate electrical infrastructure. 11kv electric lines from nearest 33/11kv substations were extended to electrify the villages. Low Tension (LT) cable was provided from distribution transformers till the village streets.

Most of the Villages were situated in forest lands and required forest clearance for installation of electrical lines. DISCOM coordinated with the District Administration and forest department to ensure speedy clearances, resulting in timely completion of the work. RS joist and H-beam steel sections were used in villages located in highly undulating terrain. Poles were transported through boats and hand carts. Workers, deployed at difficult inaccessible areas, were paid higher wages. Villages were lightened with LEDs street lights and two LED bulbs were distributed to each BPL household for free.

Distribution transformers have been metered and energy audit is carried out on regular basis. Agricultural pump connections were given on priority basis to promote two to three crops in a year. Convergence of scheme was done with other flagship Schemes including Van Bandhu, CM Economic Welfare Scheme and Sakshar Bharat etc.

Grievance Redressal:

A 24 hour centralised call centre, called ‘TWARIT’, was set up in the District, for resolution of power supply related complaints. An SMS based transformer complaint system was developed and a 24X7 complaint registration number: +91-7290222337 was also provided to the Villagers. A Fuse of Call (FoC) register was maintained at Gram Panchayat Level to resolve problems related to faulty metres, lines, transformers, etc. The DISCOM has defined response times to rectify complaints, with maximum resolution time of six hours for faulty meters/ lines and two days for failed transformers.

Awareness Generation:

DISCOM had put up banners at prevalent locations in the Villages for generating awareness among BPL households about the Scheme. Regular meetings were conducted with villagers, public representatives and local community members. Stickers providing consumer name and connection date, information related to service numbers, were installed on transformers and households. All Villages were also provided mandatory sign boards covering details of the Scheme like cost, beneficiary details and contact details of concerned officials.

Impact (01.04.2015 to 31.12.2016)

Total 40 villages and 11,785 sanctioned BPL households were electrified between April 2015 and December 2016. Electrification of villages led to reduced migration, improved literacy level and generated local employment. Message of energy conservation was propagated through distribution of LED bulbs sourced under UJALA scheme. Separate feeder lines of electricity for agricultural use and households ensured that households get 24 hours supply and agriculture feeders get 10 hours continuous power supply during critical hours of irrigation.

Implementation of DDUGJY Scheme – MPPKVVCL, Indore

• Government of India (GoI) has taken as a priority to electrify all unelectrified villages under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).
• Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited, Indore (MPPKVVCL), Indore has taken this task on top most priority and electrified all remaining 86 villages in DISCOM area by December 31, 2016.

Mechanism for receiving complaints regarding faulty meters/ transformers etc.

• TWARIT – 24 hour Centralized Call Centre with dial-in at 1912, which has assured defined timeline for resolution of power supply related complaints .
• SMS based transformer complaint system has been in place for these villages.
• Discom has also provided a 24x7 complaint registration number i.e. +91 729 022 2337 for these villages.
• Maintaining Fuse of Call (FoC) register at every Gram Panchayat Level to resolve problem related to faulty meters/ lines/ transformers etc.
• Response time to rectify complaints:
  • Maximum Resolution within six (6) hours for faulty Meters/ Lines.
  • Maximum Two (2) days for failed Transformers.

Case Study 5: Nalanda, Bihar

Initiatives Undertaken

Survey of each household of the district was done by the DISCOM with the help of Rural Development Department. An android based application was developed for recording survey data capturing status of electricity connection in each household as well as their GIS location. Flood affected blocks like Sarmera, Bind, Asthwan, Hilsa and Karaiparsura were targeted on priority for electrification before rainy season. Non-conventional modes of transport such as boats, hand carts, etc. were adopted for inaccessible areas. Issues related to Right of Way (RoW) were resolved on timely basis by Local Project Officers along with active support of local administration.

Local Level Policy Interventions:

• Local pole manufacturers were given relaxation in qualifying criteria without compromising the quality.
• A new payment policy was launched for contractors whichreduced the payment cycle to 15 days from initial duration of 118 days.
• Payment was released per village against the cluster approach of Standard Billing Document with consent of Rural Electrification Corporation (REC).
• To avoid delay incurred due to Pre-Dispatch Inspection, materials were classified with approval of REC into three categories namely A, B and C.
• To further save time and manpower, tractor drilling machine was used for pole erection.
• Android based application was used to conduct survey of all BPL households to find out if any household was left un-electrified.

Villages that could not be covered under DDUGJY due to fund constraints were covered through Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) scheme. Defective and lower capacity transformers were replaced under State Plan and Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. Adequate infrastructure was created at Village level for providing BPL, APL and other connections. Capacity of 60 MVA was added through six new Power System Stabilisers (PSS) and 25 MVA through existing PSS.

Extensive field visits were undertaken by the Chairman, Managing Director (MD), Director and other senior officers of DISCOM to gather first-hand information on quality and progress and to provide solution of RoW.

Monitoring:

• A dedicated team of officers was constituted at field level with deployment of Project Management Agency for implementation and day to day monitoring of project work.
• Weekly meetings were held at MD/Director level with local project in-charge and monthly meetings at Chairman level with the MDs of the executing agencies and the district teams to review project progress, milestones, payment and policy issues.
• A project monitoring application DCNINE was also developed for monitoring progress and quality of the project.

Grievance Redressal:

A 24x7 district customer care center has been made operational for redressal of complaints related to breakdowns. Complaints can also be registered through DISCOM’s website at www.sbpdcl.co.in. A 24x7 toll free number is also operationalised to register complaints regarding meter, transformers and other breakdowns. Monthly camps are organised at sub-division level for redressal of meter billing and other disputes. Dedicated agencies are available for replacement of Distribution Transformers (DT) and meters at sub-division and section level. Defective meters are identified through the spot billing software and suitable action for replacement is undertaken. Contact details of field officers are made available to public through newspaper advertisement and DISCOM’s website.

Awareness Generation:

Several awareness campaigns such as wall writing, posters and newspaper advertisement were used to impart awareness about free electric connections to BPL households under the programme. Block level committee having technical officers and local Administration along with Block level staff undertook awareness activities in the district.

Impact (01.04.2015 to 31.12.2016)

Total 12 villages and 98,189 sanctioned BPL households were electrified between April 2015 and December 2016. Electricity has been made available for 16-18 hours per day in rural areas and 23-24 hours per day in urban areas. A burnt DT is replaced within a specified time limit of 72 hours in rural areas and 24 hours in urban areas. Electrification has also increased use of agriculture equipment such as water pumping motors, harvesters, etc. resulting in reduced distribution of diesel subsidy. District has witnessed increased inflow of tourists and setting up of new small scale industries such as flour mill, ice factory, and welding shops.

Innovations and Challenges

Formulation of New Payment Policy which drastically reduced the payment cycle (Reduced to 15 Days from 118 Days) against the invoices of the Contractors.

• New Vendor Policy – Rationalising and simplifying the approval process
• Creation of Project Management Hierarchy from HQ to Field level comprising of CE, ESE, EEE, AEE and JEE for better execution and monitoring
• Special Task Force (STF) : Experienced team to verify quality through random sampling for material & erection work.
• Engagement with sub-contractors
• Workshop for capacity building of the Sub-contractors was done at DISCOM level to address their issues and provide training for quality work.

Examples of benefits of rural electrification 

• Small-scale industries like flour mill, ice factory, welding shops, etc have come up
• Use of agriculture related equipments such as water pumping motors and harvesters, etc. have increased - Result – Decrease in distribution of Diesel Subsidy
• Tourist inflow has increased
• Improvement in quality of power
• Improved education of children
• Improvement in health of people

Source : Emulating Excellence Takeaways for Replication