BackNow, an app to ensure 24x7 power supply
The step comes amid a need for data integrity, with many states claiming to have achieved 24x7 power for all, despite outagesThe app named Jagruk (aware), developed by the NIC will also have an automatic mode in which the power supply data will be collected during the charging of the phone
PremiumNEW DELHI : The Union government has developed a crowdsourcing mobile app for accessing real-time consumer feedback on quality and availability of power from across the country in a bid to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The step comes amid a need for data integrity, with many states claiming to have achieved 24X7 power for all, despite outages.
The app named Jagruk (aware), developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), will also have an automatic mode in which the power supply data will be collected during the charging of the phone. The pilot project will be rolled out shortly in all the Union territories and in states such as Odisha, Uttarakhand, Assam and Bihar.
“This is a huge step. A meeting was held on 5 April where it was decided to work towards the roll-out of the pilot project. Some states did express reservations but came around to the idea," said a government official, requesting anonymity.
Consumers will be able to report power outages and their location through the app and the information will be shared with state electricity utilities, state and Union governments and even the district magistrates to take action.
“Given that there may be a problem of crowdsourcing in the rural areas, the plan may also involve CSCs, Asha workers, Bank Mitra’s and Gram Panchayats by incentivising them for providing feedback," said the official cited above.
A power ministry spokesperson declined comment.
With electricity being on the concurrent list, it is for states to ensure quality, reliable and affordable electricity to consumers. All states and union territories had inked memorandum of understandings providing details of the ‘Power for All’ road map. Interestingly, of India’s installed capacity of 349 gigawatts (GW), the peak demand is only 177 GW.
“Many states/UTs have now claimed to have achieved Power for All 24X7 to all consumers. In the absence of any specified monitoring mechanism for 24X7 power supply to all consumers, it is felt that the general public being the ultimate consumers of electricity, their feedback through crowd sourcing mobile App for getting real time feedback from the consumers for improving availability and quality of 24X7 power supply," according to a document reviewed by Mint.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s plan to provide “24X7 clean and affordable power for all" by March 2019 has been a mixed bag. While all states claim to be providing round-the-clock electricity to urban consumers, the same is not the case for rural consumers.
The hours of power supplied to the agriculture sector will be in line with the state’s policies to reduce water wastage and prevent over exploitation of ground water resources, according to the Union government.
Mint reported on 26 February about 13 states supplying round-the-clock electricity to consumers citing indicative feeder monitoring data. These states are Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, Punjab, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tripura and Uttarakhand. Also, all union territories have been supplying 24x7 power to urban and rural consumers. In addition, nine states have been supplying 24x7 power to urban consumers.
Electricity has always been a poll issue as is the case in these elections.
“Now, we will work towards: Ensuring a right mix of energy which leads towards a cleaner environment, Supplying quality electricity to all consumers, Making the state electricity entities financially sound and administratively more efficient," the Bharatiya Janata Party said in its election manifesto.
“Congress promises to enhance availability of, and access to, electricity in rural areas by encouraging investment in off-grid renewable power generation with ownership and revenues vesting in local bodies," the Congress manifesto promised.
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