The MP Western Region Power Distribution Company has cracked the whip. As many as 174 officers and employees of Discom faced music for power outage days after Chief Minister Kamal Nath sought a detailed report on power cuts in last one month. Among those suspended include 85 officials– executive engineers, assistant engineers, and linemen– of Discom and 89 outsourcing employees.
While Discom regular officers and employees have been suspended, doors have been shut on the face of 89 outsourced employees for negligence in distribution of electricity supply. Western Discom conducted a review of power distribution and department work in all 15 districts under it and found gross negligence on the part of many regular and temporary officials.
Additional chief secretary (energy) ICP Keshari had conducted the inspections at Indore, Ujjain and Barwani and Western Discom MD Vikas Narwal at Ujjain, Shahjapur, Khargone, Dhar, Dewas and Barwani. The duo had found irregularities in power distribution and negligence on the part of employees. Following their findings, investigation were conducted and action were taken on those who were found to be negligent in power distribution and in official works, misbehaving with consumers, and not taking orders from their seniors.
Six engineers of Indore City– Abhay Pandey and Amar Singh Solanki of Daly College zone, CK Chandel of HT Section Central Division Zone, Rahul Yadav of Subhash Chowk Zone, Bharat Jain of Tilak Nagar zone and Sanjay Kulkarni of Sirpur zone were suspended. Besides 10 linemen have also been suspended whereas 15 outsourced employees’ services were terminated.
Discom to launch “village electricity register”
MP Western Region Power Distribution Company would soon come up with village electricity register for keep track on power outage. Western Discom MD Vikas Narwal stated that the register will have all information regarding power cuts due to natural or technical reasons. Junior engineers will take signature of five to 10 villagers on the register whenever power outage takes place and restored to their satisfaction.
Narwal stated that complaints of power outage from rural than urban areas. “So it has been decided to launch village electricity maintenance register. I believe that this facility will help in improvement of power supply to rural areas,” he added. There are nearly 6000 gram panchayats in 15 districts under the Western Discom.
