Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

KPTCL MD's suggestion to wind up CEIG draws flak

By Divya Sreedharan

BANGALORE Feb. 18. This past fortnight has seen much power play between two government agencies — the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) and the Chief Electrical Inspectorate to the Government (CEIG).

It began with the KPTCL Managing Director, K.N. Srivastava, writing to the Government recommending the CEIG's closure.

His reasoning was reportedly that the CEIG functioned as a parallel department, doing things that KPTCL did.

The problem is that the head of the CEIG has always been a Chief Engineer deputed from KPTCL. But it was first formed by the State Government under the Indian Electricity (IE) Rules to investigate electrical accidents and conduct inquiries.

Though its slow investigations have been criticised, the CEIG has often recommended action against errant KPTCL officers/engineers when accidents take place.

Further, the CEIG reports not to the KPTCL Managing Director but to the Government or, specifically, the Principal Secretary, Energy.

Now the CEIG has written to the Government saying Mr. Srivastava has no right to suggest its closure. "For one thing, it is not subservient to KPTCL; further, it is an `advisor to GoK' and, last, it functions under a statute," CEIG sources say.

Meanwhile, the Energy Department has decided to ignore Mr. Srivastava's letter. "There is no question of considering it," the Principal Secretary, Energy, K.P. Pandey, told The Hindu.

Mr. Pandey admitted that the CEIG had no facilities till recently. "These past one or two years, we have reorganised it, recruited people, created additional posts, given promotions, and even provided vehicles. Now Mr. Srivastava writes such a letter. It will not happen," Mr. Pandey stressed.

Meanwhile KPTCL sources say Mr. Srivastava threw up the suggestion at a recent in-house meet. "He claimed that the Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board (APSEB) had abolished their CEIG and so wanted Karnataka to do the same."

Engineers say they have to get all lines and installations checked by the CEIG. "Mr. Srivastava felt such departments added to red-tapism and delays. But if it is not there it means that our superintending and chief engineers get more powers," the sources added.

Besides, when officials at the APSEB were contacted, they said they still had a CEIG. They, however, did not know if there were moves to wind it up.

Mr. Srivastava was recently criticised by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission for saying that its hearings hampered KPTCL's working.

Now the CEIG is also angry with him.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• BJP seeks ban on online lottery
• Journalists' plea to Govt.
• State wants more time for water schemes
• AIJD to merge with Janata Party?
• KPTCL MD's suggestion to wind up CEIG draws flak
• Journalists' plea to Govt. on wage board recommendations

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu