August 16, 2013
Five companies including Crompton Greaves Ltd. (CGL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL) have expressed interest to work as power distribution franchisee in Odisha during a workshop organised by GRIDCO Ltd. and Rural Electri-fication Corporation (REC). Others were Spanco, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) and SPML Infra Ltd.
The franchisee’s job would be to supply and distribute electricity, take down meter readings, distribute bills, collect revenue, maintain low-tension lines and attend fuse-off calls. During the workshop, the companies said that they need more hand-holding support and a longer period of contract, up to 15 years, to participate in this type of business model.