Can you tell us more about your contributions to the industry and in your area of expertise? After joining APSEB in 1969 as a Junior Engineer, I have improved electrification of villages, improvement of systems and also establishment of SPM centers in remote locations to reduce the transportation cost of Distribution Transformers and speedy arrangement of Distribution Transformers. As a Divisional Engineer / Operation, I made a critical analysis of energy losses in the Division and initiated replacement of defective meters, 100 % sealing of meters, section level meetings with the staff to improve the metered sales. These measures have resulted in reduction of energy losses from 20 % to 10 %.
Post unbundling of APSEB under electricity reforms in 1999, the outlook of the organization has changed to suit the changed circumstances. Accountability has been introduced by fixing targets to each individual up to Section level in respect of Energy Drawl, Energy Utilization( metered sales), Revenue Demand raised, Revenue realization, Reduction of Technical & Commercial Losses. All the above exercise has been carried out by me for the entire Distribution Company. The exercise is the first of its kind in the organization and has been completed successfully. Besides the above work, it was observed that there was abnormal delay in release of new services, in attending to fuse off calls and in restoration of supply during outages. Consumer Service Centers opened at Sub-Division level were made to function effectively under my control. In addition to the above, I was drafted to conduct classes to O & M staff at Divisional level to inculcate performance oriented culture in place of the old and traditional culture which is resulting in technical and financial losses to the organization. In the reformed regime, it was felt that Consumer satisfaction needs to be looked into for improving the consumer satisfaction level. For this, Citizen Charter was framed for which the proposal on behalf of the Company was drafted by me and got approved by the competent authority.
When you were in the final year in OUCE, how did you see yourself( professionally) after 10 years, and how different was it in reality? I admit that reality is always unalike from what is learnt in college. But involvement with work and people will make the work easier. The enthusiasm and zeal to learn is the key to success. Always keep the student in you alive.
When you look back to yourself as a“ student” in OUCE, what is it that you would like to change and why? The change I wish is that an engineer who is given the freedom to choose his field of expertise, gains proficiency and excels in it. For e. g., if an Engineer wants to be in designing, he should be allowed to be in the design team for the tenure he wishes to continue. But an engineer is put in diverse areas through rotation which hampers him / her from gaining proficiency. I wish to see a change in the Indian system where engineers are allowed to excel in their field of interest.
Message to the Alumni:
Why do you think it is necessary to have an Alumni Association at OUCE? OUCE over the years has produced excellent engineers who achieved great milestones in their respective fields. Alumni Association is essential to create a network of college students and the alumni. In my opinion, Alumni Association is a bridge between College and old students which connects them to their alma mater. It will also provide a platform for the existing students to get enlightened with the ideologies and thoughts that can be exchanged.
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