NAGPUR: After appointing distribution franchisee for cities, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission is now planning to allow SEZs, IT parks, townships and big multi-storey buildings act as mini-franchisees and distribute electricity in their areas by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Any society interested in distributing power in rural and hilly area having scattered power network will also be considered. The powers of these mini-franchisees will be more or less the same as that of their bigger counterparts.

Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission had approved the policy of appointing mini-franchisees in May 2010.MSEDCL then started preparing a comprehensive draft franchisee agreement. MERC directed it to make some changes and now the final draft agreement is ready.
The franchisee will be allowed to purchase power from outside sources only if it is possible. This power can only be used for supplying the area during maintenance shutdowns, breakdowns and doing away with load shedding. The franchisee will have to recover the money spent on procuring additional power from its consumers through a surcharge. In case a penalty is levied on MSEDCL by MERC or consumer forum then the proportionate amount would be passed on to the franchisee.