Pushing ahead with his campaign for a more consumer-friendly approach, State Power Minister Ajay Singh Yadav on Tuesday directed power utilities in the state to set up a special cell where people can reach him directly through e-mail for redressal of grievances.

The Power Minister, who was presiding over a review meeting of senior officers of the Haryana Power Utilities in Chandigarh, directed that an officer of the rank of Superintending Engineer should be appointed as nodal officer of the cell to coordinate and communicate with the concerned departments for attending to issues raised through the e-mails.

He said the grievances would be personally observed by him and was of the view that the cell should be set up at the headquarters of the power utilities.

A review meeting of this cell would be conducted every second and fourth Monday, he added.

Yadav further directed that a survey might be conducted regarding the number of consumers not having electricity connections in the state and asked the officers to introduce new schemes to encourage people to get meters installed.

With a view to curb electricity theft, he said the survey may also identify the number of electricity connections being used without meters, as well as the number of meters not installed.

He also stressed on serious implementation of disciplinary measures to prevent the theft of electricity in the state and asked for a district-wise list of court cases and action taken to be put up to him regularly.

Stressing on the effective steps to be taken to improve the working of this important sector in the state, Yadav also called for a district-wise list of arrears of bills to be prepared and follow-up action to be taken on a priority basis.