S Gopal Puri
Shimla
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to systemic transformation under the banner of Vyavastha Parivartan, highlighting recent digital and administrative reforms in the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL).
The Chief Minister stated that by prioritizing transparent procurement and technological self-reliance, the state is not only improving consumer services but also advancing toward financial discipline. “The government’s motive is clear—it aims to change the system, not merely run it,” he emphasized.
One of the key reforms includes replacing high-cost outsourcing with competitive, transparent bidding processes. As a result, the annual support cost for electricity billing and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has been reduced by nearly 46%, from ₹12.29 crore to ₹6.68 crore. This move is expected to save the state exchequer approximately ₹5.61 crore annually, totaling ₹16.83 crore over three years.
“These public resources will now be redirected toward the welfare of Himachal’s citizens, rather than being drained by inefficient legacy contracts,” the CM remarked.
Focusing on Ease of Living, the Chief Minister noted that HPSEBL’s digitization efforts are designed to benefit nearly 29 lakh domestic and industrial consumers. Services such as online applications for new connections, smart billing, and prepaid metering are helping citizens avoid bureaucratic hurdles and access utilities more efficiently.
He added that HPSEBL has strengthened consumer services through end-to-end digitization, enabling online bill payments, complaint registration, and faster grievance redressal. To further improve financial health, the government is working to reduce AT&C losses, ensure timely billing and collections, plug revenue leakages, and rationalize operational costs.
The Chief Minister also highlighted future plans to enhance financial sustainability through better power purchase planning and data-driven decision-making. “Vyavastha Parivartan is about making institutions self-reliant and accountable,” he said. “By integrating technologies like Business Intelligence and AI-ready platforms, we are laying the foundation for a modern, prosperous, and self-sufficient Himachal Pradesh by 2027.”
