Private institute found misusing power

Our Correspondent

Sundernagar, December 8

A team from the office of assistant engineer HPSEB Ltd sub-station, Sundernagar subdivision, checked the electrical load of the SIRDA Group of Institutions and found that the institute was indulging in unauthorised use of electricity in violation of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003.

Senior executive engineer HPSEB Ltd electrical division Sundernagar said: “As per the provisional assessment made by the team after inspecting the institution, a notice has been issued to the institute which is running a private engineering and polytechnic college. They have been asked to pay Rs 20.53 lakh within seven days for committing violation against the Indian Electricity Act.”

A team of field staff headed by Budhi Singh, Junior Engineer (JE), Electrical Section, Kanaid, during a routine check-up had found that the institute was committing several violations. The higher authorities were apprised about the on-going violation and further requested to initiate action against the consumer as per the provisions of the Electricity Act.

As per the finding of the JE, there had been several violations on the campus. Not only this, a temporary connection was functioning since long, the institution was having five electrical connections on different names that too of different specification.

As per norms three phase power supply is mandatory for engineering and polytechnic colleges. A team headed by Assistant Engineer Electrical Sub-Station subdivision Sundernagar started detailed inspection on the premises which continued for three days. As per the calculation made by the team, the load on the campus was found to be 475 KW which was in violation of Section 126 of the Electricity Act. As per the provisional assessment made by the team of HPSEB Ltd officials, the SIRDA Group of Institution was indulging in unauthorised use of electricity and was asked to pay Rs 20.53 lakh within seven days. It was further directed to get the load regularised as per the provisions of the Electricity Act to avoid further action and was further directed to remove unauthorised extension.

As per the norms of the department, the JE has to personally take the reading in big establishment such as educational institutions, but the matter came to knowledge of the HPSEBL after nearly five years as the institution was functioning for the past five years.