Power Theft: NAC Officer's Residence Loses Electricity Connection For Hooking Line

Forget about the common man, theft of electricity has come to fore from the official residence that too from the top most official of a NAC in Odisha.

As per sources, the, electricity connection to the official residence of the Banki NAC Executive Officer has been cut off on charges of power theft. Similarly, the power supply to the cyclone shelter constructed inside the premises of the NAC office has also been removed.

Teams led by the SDO of Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Ltd Banki sub-division and Vigilance, Cuttack Electricity department recently conducted joint raid at the locations and disconnected the supply of electricity to the buildings.

The officials informed that even though the power connection to the residential building and the cyclone shelter were snapped some years ago over non-payment of long-standing dues, electricity was being consumed by dishonestly hooking from the main power LT pole and bypassing the meters at both points.

The matter came to light after series of allegations on the illegal activity were brought forward before the Electricty department. In the physical verification report on the theft incident , the enforcement officer has recommended that action be taken in this connection as per the U/S 135 of the Electricity Act 2003.

Banki SDO, TPCODL Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra has said that electricity connection will not be restored till the clearance of the outstanding dues. “Consumers of the line was not paying their dues since 2012 and so the supply was disconnected two to three years ago. Their connection will be restored only if they repay their arrears, the provisional or final amount after assessment within 7 days,” said Mohapatra

On the other hand, the Banki NAC Executive Officer Prabhu Kalyan Mohapatra has claimed ignorance on the matter. Enquired by OTV, the Executive Officer said, “I don’t know about the matter. I can only comment only after assessing the situation."