Saving energy: District Collectorate

Ranchi, June 29: The next time you leave fans, lights and computers switched on at the district collectorate, you might as well get ready to part with some cash.

For, the administration has decided to slap fines on employees found misusing electricity after the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) submitted a bill of approximately Rs 1 crore against power consumption at the collectorate building since August 2009.

Deputy commissioner Kamal Kishore Soan issued a directive to this effect on June 25. A copy of the order has been circulated to all offices running from the collectorate building. However, the fine amount has not been fixed yet.

“We just to warn the staff initially. The quantum of fine will be decided after a week,” Soan said.

On what qualifies as misuse of power, the deputy commissioner added: “Leaving the fans, lights and air-conditioners on when no body is around will tantamount to wastage of electricity. Also, one should not use the elevator unnecessarily or keep computers on when there is no work.”

“It’s not possible for the deputy commissioner to pay such a whopping amount as the government provides him just Rs 2.50 lakh per annum for payment of electricity bills of the collectorate building. Offices of senior superintendent of police, district transport officer, sub-divisional officer, treasurer and district welfare officer besides several others are located at the collectorate. The directive has reached every office and power consumption is expected to come down from next month,” an official at the Nazarat office said.

The order says that the head of every office will have to submit a report on the employees wasting electricity and the amount of money collected from them as fine. “I think the deputy commissioner imposed the fine in order to raise money for payment of electricity bills,” the official added.

Confirming the development, sub-divisional officer of Ranchi Shekhar Jamuar said: “I have warned all officials working under me that administrative action will be taken against them if they misuse power.” He justified the action, saying “it is the duty of all to save power”.

Subhankar Jha, executive engineer of the new capital division of JSEB under which the district collectorate falls, said: “The board will issue a notice for disconnection of electricity connection to the collectorate building next month as a huge amount is due against power consumption.”

Sources said every month, the district collectorate consumes power worth around Rs 6 to Rs 6.50 lakh. “In April this year, the bill ran up to Rs 6,39,383.”

The fine fiat has already started having desired results. Employees are now extra cautious. “Nowadays, I am very particular about switching off the fans when I go out of office,” a collectorate employee said.

Another employee added, “I do not use the elevator when I have to go down.”