Jamshedpur: The state's power distribution wing Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam (JBVNL) in Singhbhum electricity supply area, Jamshedpur circle, is apparently making fresh inquiries into four 500KV transformers meant for slums but installed at three Mango residential complexes in 2015-16.
The Telegraph reported this alleged irregularity on August 17, 2016, indicating an underhand deal between some power officials and realtors.
The Mango transformer installations are a part of a series of probes to be done by a special investigation team (SIT) set up by the state government to end power theft and improve procedural improvement in supply, additional director-general of police (modernisation) Anil Palta heading the SIT, told this paper.
Mysteriously, JBVNL general manager-cum-chief engineer Amarnath Mishra on Thursday denied any fresh inquiry though his subordinates claimed he had given a written order for it on Wednesday.
"It is an old matter and a clarification about irregularity in allotment of transformers was made in 2016. I have not given any instruction for a fresh enquiry," Mishra said, adding the SIT had "nothing to do" with transformer allotment in Mango.
But, ADG (modernisation) Palta denied Mishra's statement. "Transformer allotment in Mango area is very much under SIT's domain. SIT is working mainly on bringing about procedural improvement in power supply area and also probing power theft and transformer irregularities in Mango," Palta told this paper.
JBVNL superintending engineer, Jamshedpur circle, Manmohan Kumar confirmed the fresh inquiry. "JBVNL general manager-cum-chief engineer (Mishra) on Wednesday issued written instructions to detect if the four transformers set up in three residential complexes obeyed norms or not. I asked Jamshedpur division executive engineer Pradeep Kumar Vishwakarma to probe and submit a report," Kumar said.
Subdivisional officer (electrical), Mango, Jagdev Mahto made an on-the-spot inquiry at residential complex Moon City on Thursday, where two of four transformers were installed in 2016. "We are in process of probing the status of transformers allegedly wrongfully installed in residential complexes. I found two 500KV transformers in Moon City, but can't give more details," he said.
In 2016, The Telegraph had reported a letter written by then SDO (electrical) N.K. Singh to his superior saying four transformers of 500KV were handed over to builders though they had been purchased through tender for slums. The other two were Madhusudan Builders and Nirmal Sai.
