The vigilance squad of Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Mescom) on Monday found violations of rules on the part of Kastruba Medical College and Hospital, Attavar, for “illegally” supplying power to Manipal College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, located behind KMC. It faces a penalty of Rs. 3.47 crore.
Deputy Superintendent of Police for the Vigilance Squad Vinay Gaonker said KMC had extended power to the two other buildings without permission, which was a violation of the Section 126 of Karnataka Electricity Act. A notice would be issued for unauthorised usage of power to the two institutes and power lines between the buildings would be cut off, he said.
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The vigilance squad, headed by Mr. Gaonker, raided the premises of the dental college following a complaint by an activist accusing it of illegally using 950 kVA power allocated to KMC.
The five-storey dental college has not been given separate electricity connection as it was yet to get occupancy certificate from the Mangalore City Corporation. A team of Mescom officials were also part of the raid.
Technicians from Moodbidri were called to estimate the quantity of power consumed by the dental college. During the examination, the vigilance team found instance of illegal extension of power to the Manipal institute, Mr. Gaonker said.
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Madhusudan Upadhya, Medical Superintendent of KMC, Attavar, said the hospital was yet to receive the notice from Mescom.
Dr. Upadhya said power was being provided from Kastruba Medical College and Hospital to the dental college, which had been trying to get power supply connection since 2008.
Dr. Upadhya said the dental college first moved a city court and now the matter was before the Mangalore City Corporation.
“We have paid for the power that has been used. We have not cheated the government,” said the Medical Superintendent.