Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 27: The State Vigilance Commission has upheld imposition of fine on a consumer by Power Development Department, Ganderbal, for electricity theft and dismissed the complaint by the defaulter who was alleging demand of bribery.
The consumer, identified as Abdul Rehman Teeli of Bandipora, had lodged a complaint alleging therein that Superintending Engineer, Electric was demanding Rs 30,000 from him to settle his electricity bill, which he claimed was incorrect and that he had been overcharged.
After due proceedings, it was established that the complainant who was running a Band-saw Mill had illegally installed a trolley and had installed a defective meter of his own which was showing less reading. Perusal of records established that the complainant had been caught red handed by electricity department inspection team stealing electricity illegally for which he was fined Rs 35,120/- besides rectifying the billed amount for electricity use to Rs 1,22,958/-.
During enquiry, it was established that the complainant wanted to use the forum of this Commission to put pressure on the electricity authorities by mentioning that the Superintending Engineer concerned wanted bribe to settle the case in his favour. However, there was no evidence to even remotely suggest that bribe had been demanded.
On the other hand, it has been established that the electricity authorities had rightly disconnected his service line and imposed fine besides charging him as per the actual use of electricity.
The complaint was therefore, dismissed with the direction that besides charging the bill and fine as per the J&K Electricity Act, 2010, the complainant should also be proceeded against for theft of electricity under J&K Electricity Act, 2010 and other provisions of law.
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