Records keeping of a Junior Engineer (Electrical) office placed under in Distribution Sector

A Junior Engineer (JEN) - 

    Acts as the backbone of the distribution system—ensuring uninterrupted power supply, routine maintenance, maintaining records, releasing new connections, conducting vigilance, etc.

Field Duties of a Junior Engineer - 

• Monitor and regulate the power supply in the designated area.
• Inspect and maintain 11 kV feeders and 33/11 kV GSS (grid substations) regularly.
• Respond promptly to faults, outages, and consumer complaints.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of field staff (linemen, helpers, contractors).
• Manage and account for materials used in maintenance and repairs.
• Conduct preventive maintenance of transformers, breakers, and feeders.
• Authorise and verify new service connections to consumers.
• Maintain safety procedures and make sure that laws are followed.

Essential Records Maintained by a Field JEN -

Record keeping of the JEN Office

        A junior engineer is also the custodian of all official records and materials. 

A. Stock Register -

• Records all materials received and issued (e.g., cables, poles, insulators, meters, transformers).
• Facilitates effective inventory control and audits.

B. Meter Movement Register (MMR)

Tracks the movement of meters:

  - Issued to the site.

  - Installed at consumer premises.

  - Faulty meters returned for repair or scrapping.

  - Stock in and stock out.

C. Meter Change Order Register (MCO)

• Documents orders for replacing defective meters.
• Includes consumer details, as well as old and new meter particulars.

D. Service Connection Order Register (SCO)

• Maintains comprehensive records of new service connections.
• Contains application numbers, consumer details, sanctioned load, connection date, and meter number.

E. RC/DC Register (Reconnection/Disconnection)

     Records instances of supply disconnections (due to non-payment, theft, or maintenance) and subsequent reconnections.

F. Net Meter Solar Feasibility Register (Feeder-wise)

    Conducts feasibility assessments for solar net-metering applications, feeder-wise, to ensure adherence to feeder capacity limits.

G. Transformer Register

Logs all 11/.4 kV distribution transformers in the field -

  - Location,

  - Capacity,

  - Commissioning date,

  - Failure and replacement history.

Etc..

H. VCR Register (Vigilance Control Register)

    Records instances of electricity theft, inspection reports, penalties imposed, and follow-up actions.

I. Estimate Register

    Keeps a record of all cost estimates prepared for new works, system extensions, and equipment installations.

J. Master Data File

    A single file or folder to organise all correspondence, such as circulars, government orders, internal memos, operational instructions, and safety notices.

Record Registers of the JEN office

Materials Managed in the Field -

    As part of field operations, the JEN supervises and records the following materials:

• Poles (RCC, PCC, steel)
• Conductors (ACSR, AAAC)
• Insulators and clamps
• Distribution transformers
• Stay sets and earthing components
• Meters (single-phase, three-phase, smart meters)
• LT/HT cables and fuses
• Protective equipment (breakers, isolators, lightning arresters)

etc..

  All materials must be documented in the stock register and properly accounted for.

Urban Cess in Electricity Bills Explained Simply

      Urban Cess is a type of tax collected by the electricity department (on behalf of the state government) from consumers living in urban areas to fund the development and maintenance of urban infrastructure.

Urban Cess

        It is not a charge for the electricity you use, but an extra amount levied to support civic amenities—like street lighting, roads, drainage, public spaces, and upkeep of urban areas. So, think of it as a contribution toward improving and maintaining your town or city’s facilities.

Why is Urban Cess Charged? 

Compared to rural areas, urban environments need more services and upkeep because -

• Higher population density
• More electricity infrastructure
• Roads, streetlights, and drainage systems
• Waste management
• Parks, public buildings, etc.

        The state government needs funds to provide these services and maintain the infrastructure.

         Instead of raising all the money from general taxes, they collect urban cess directly from electricity consumers living in municipal or urban areas, because nearly everyone there uses electricity.

How Much is Urban Cess?

        The rate of urban cess varies from state to state and is decided by the respective state government’s policy. In Rajasthan (for example), it is usually charged as a small percentage of your energy charges or a fixed amount per kilowatt (kW) of sanctioned load.

Does the Public Benefit from Urban Cess? 

    Yes—at least in principle. The funds collected through urban cess are meant to be used for urban development projects, such as

• Installing and maintaining streetlights
• Building and maintaining public toilets
• Repairing city roads and footpaths
• Improving drainage and sewerage systems
• Keeping public parks and spaces clean
• Upgrading electrical infrastructure (like poles, wires, transformers) in city areas

      

      So, when you pay urban cess, you’re contributing to making your city a better, cleaner, and safer place to live. However, sometimes the benefits may not be immediately visible to everyone, because these are collective services and depend on how effectively the funds are used by the urban local bodies.

Urban Cess at a Glance

      While urban cess might feel like an extra burden on your electricity bill, it’s essentially your share of responsibility to maintain and improve your city’s infrastructure.

     Although small in amount, when collected from millions of consumers, it provides significant funds to municipalities and local bodies to keep the urban environment functional and pleasant.