Electricity dept drive from Jan 24; None to be spared: N Sarat
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 21, 2011:
One day after three persons filed a PIL against the top officials of the electricity department, the department is planning to conduct a substantive drive against default consumers from January 24 onwards.
In a press meet held in his office chamber, Chief Engineer N Sarat said that due to non appointment of judges of the electricity courts, the department has been unable to take up legal actions against defaulters and illegal usage of power even after electricity courts were established in 2007 after amending the Electricity Act 2003.He said that District and Session Judge, Manipur East K Bipinchandra and Judge Manipur West A Guneshwar who is also presiding officer of the Revenue Tribunal were appointed as Judges of the Special Court (Electricity) Manipur East, and Manipur West, respectively as per the order of Law and Legislative Affairs Department dated January 15, 2011.He further said that special drives with the help of state police will be conducted in all districts of the state from, January 24 onwards.
Illegal usage of electric may even attract non bailable arrest.
He also appealed to the consumers to cooperate with the department in the drive.
Sarat said that around 80 percent of the power used in the state is lost in transmission.
The main cause for the loss is the outdated technical system and unavailability of a proper billing system.
At present the power sector in the state has a deficit of around Rs 280 crore.Sarat further added that Manipur will no longer face power shortages from 2012 as the Yurembam Power House is being expanded to receive power transmitted from Bongaigaon, Assam.
Underground power lines are being laid in Imphal city as part of improving the technical system.
Moreover, the department is also in the process to introduce a prepaid system for consumers in the city.
He appealed to the people to desist from acts of power theft and to pay electric bills regularly to solve the present problem in the state.
Welcoming the PIL filed against the department, Sarat said that the department will give all necessary information to the court.
No one found guilty will be spared, he also added.
It may be mentioned that Dr Amar Yumnam, Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and Pradip Phanjoubam filed a PIL against the top officials of the department under Article 226 of the Constitution for assurance of a Writ in the nature of a Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ or direction or order directing the respondents to provide uninterrupted, reliable and safe electric power for 24 hours a day to all bonafide consumers of electric power in the state.