Responding swiftly to citizen concerns, new timings reduce power cut duration; suggestions made to improve complaint handling and create new power zone
Published on: May 15, 2025
By: BTI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Amid rising summer temperatures and growing public discomfort over prolonged daytime electricity outages, Rajnandgaon MLA Dr. Raman Singh has once again demonstrated his responsiveness by intervening in the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board’s (CSEB) decision regarding power maintenance schedules in the city.
Initially, the electricity board had announced a power cut from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in all city wards for pre-monsoon maintenance work. However, the schedule drew widespread criticism from several concerned citizens, who found the extended six-hour power disruption during peak summer hours to be highly impractical and inconvenient.
One of the notable voices raising the issue was Rupchand Bhimanani, former member of the Electricity Advisory Committee, who held discussions with Dr. Raman Singh to highlight the issue and the growing public distress it was causing.
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Swift Action by Dr. Raman Singh
Upon being informed, Dr. Singh immediately acknowledged the public’s concern, deeming the originally proposed power cut schedule as unreasonable. Taking swift action, he directed CSEB officials to revise the power outage timings, ensuring minimal inconvenience to city residents.
Following his intervention, the new maintenance schedule was promptly implemented:
Power supply will now be disrupted between 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM in all city wards, instead of the previously planned six-hour window.
This decision was met with appreciation on various social media platforms, with many citizens commending both Dr. Raman Singh and former MP Abhishek Singh for their proactive leadership and sensitivity to public needs.
Further Suggestions to Improve Electricity Services
In addition to rescheduling the power cuts, Rupchand Bhimanani also pointed out several structural issues in the current power supply and complaint handling system:
- Inadequate Response to Complaints: Many electricity consumers in the city have faced difficulties in registering complaints, as the dedicated helpline numbers often remain busy or inactive. Bhimanani emphasized the need for additional operators to handle the complaint lines more efficiently. Currently, only one operator handles four helpline numbers, which is insufficient during peak complaint hours.
- Need for a New Power Zone: Bhimanani also proposed the creation of a new “North Zone” for power operations, particularly for areas across the railway tracks (locally referred to as “Patri Paar” areas). He stated that dividing the city into additional operational zones would help streamline workflow, enable faster response to outages, and ultimately enhance power distribution and maintenance efficiency.
A People-Centric Approach to Governance
This incident highlights how timely government intervention—especially by elected representatives—can address grassroots-level concerns effectively. Dr. Raman Singh’s quick redressal of a pressing civic issue is being viewed as a model of people-first governance, reinforcing public trust in democratic leadership.
With summer intensifying and electricity demand peaking, such responsiveness becomes even more crucial. Public discourse on platforms like social media reflected a strong sentiment of gratitude and approval toward the move, encouraging further public engagement in utility management.
