MSEDCL to bring in standard bidding system

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) will be introducing a standard bidding document system very soon. The MSEDCL aims to protect revenue, give proper service to consumers and most importantly, keep a close watch on service-providing agencies.

After introducing the standard bidding document system, the MSEDCL can monitor hundreds of agencies spread all over the state. “This system will bring uniformity in the tendering procedure across the state. We will design a uniform tender and agencies will be appointed through local offices. But the terms and conditions will be the same for every service provider agency,” said an MSEDCL official. He added, “Previously, rules and regulations were different for everyone. Hence, it was difficult to catch a particular agency for its inefficiency in work.”

“This will curb unethical and arbitrary practices of appointed agencies. It will also help us figure out the number of agencies, as now there are many sub-contracts by the agencies,” a MSEDCL officer said.

Through the standard bidding system, top officials from MSEDCL can keep a close watch and control service providing agencies from the MSEDCL’s main building named Prakashgad located at Bandra.

There are 600 sub-divisional offices across the state which serve 2 crore consumers. To provide billing services, 400 to 500 agencies are appointed. “We do not know the reason for late payment or non-payment by consumers. We have not conducted any survey,” the officer said, adding that the MSEDCL believe that the standard bidding document will help consumers get their bills on time.