Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board’s property worth crores lies abandoned

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 26

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEB) is facing a severe financial crisis, which could explain why it has failed to take care of its property worth crores near Palampur, , lying abandoned for nearly 20 years.

Over a dozen houses, constructed as residential quarters in the 1990s at Jia, 10 km from here, are in a state of utter neglect as the HPSEB has virtually dumped these structures. Most structures are on the verge of collapse, as there is no one to take care of these. Wild grass has covered the buildings, while most fittings have been stolen.

According to villagers, the residential quarters were constructed for the HPSEB field staff when the 15-MW Jia power project was under construction. After the project was complete, the power board abandoned these buildings. The market value of the government property is estimated to be over Rs 40 cr.

Officials of the HPSEB are well versed with the situation, but because of official hiccups, these houses could neither be put to use nor handed over to any other department. A senior officer of HPSEB, on the condition of anonymity, told The Tribune that he had sent a proposal to the Chairman of the HPSEB for putting these houses to some use. Despite repeated follow-ups, no efforts were made by the department in this direction, he added.

The Tribune team found that most of the double-storeyed structures have developed cracks and are covered with wild growth. The windowpanes are broken with doors and electrical fittings stolen. Rakesh Kumar, who resides nearby, said no officer from the department had ever visited these buildings in the past 20 years.

Area residents said they had apprised the HPSEB authorities and the local MLA of the abandoned property, but to no avail.