DECEMBER 2: Public sector refining companies have ensured that customers will face nosupply problems from their retail outlets on December 31 and January 1. Thebig three -- Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and BharatPetroleum Corporation -- have indicated that they are ready to meet anyeventuality that may arise in the transition to January 1.While all systems have been made Y2K compliant, a contingency plan has beendrawn up for certain administrative functions.
For instance, salaries for December will be paid a day earlier on the 30thso that employees have time to withdraw cash from banks in case there areproblems thereafter. Mobile phones will be hired for some top staff in caseof an emergency.
The oil PSUs have also decided to take all meter readings on power, waterand communication equipment on a daily basis from the fourth week of thismonth. This will help identify any problem that can occur from thechangeover to January 1, 2000.
As regards water, efforts are being made to ensure additional storage andnot rely solely on municipal water as the source. Generator sets will alsobe tested and kept ready.
The normal safeguard techniques on checking and testing telephones, pagers,V-Sats, etc, will be done. There is every likelihood of freezing STD and ISDservices for a while after the midnight hour of January 1, 2000.
These will be restored within an hour.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.