The Vigilance squad of Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Mescom) will be inquiring into lapses on the part of the officials of the power distribution company in allowing unauthorised usage of power by Manipal College of Dental Sciences and Manipal School.
Mescom Vigilance officials on Monday raided the two places and found the two institutes illegally using power allocated to Kasturba Medical College Hospital in Attavar.
They have issued notice to KMC, Attavar, for violation of provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, and slapped a fine of Rs. 3.4 crore on KMC for the alleged offence.
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Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Mescom Vigilance’s Superintendent of Police P. Harishchandra said KMC, Attavar, has been sanctioned high tension power (950 kVA).
There was provision for extension of power to buildings that have clearances from the Mangalore City Corporation. “Power has been illegally extended to the dental college and Manipal school that are yet to get occupancy certificate from the MCC,” Mr. Harishchandra said.
He said bills for consumption of high tension power were issued by official of the rank of Assistant Executive Engineer.
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It was also mandatory for Mescom officials to regularly check the high tension power supply installations. “We are surprised there is no mention of either the dental college or the school in Mescom records,” he said.
The dental college has been using power since 2006 while the school has been using power since 2010.
“We will look into the lapses and recommend disciplinary action (against Mescom officials),” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Vinay Gaonker.
He said KMC had three months to pay Rs. 3.4 crore. The fine was calculated on the basis of the power consumed by the two institutes since they started functioning.