LUCKNOW: At least 12 households in New Faridipur colony of the municipal limits have been forced to live in dark, after Lucknow electricity supply administration snapped their power supply following discom’s probe—highlighting fake electricity connections but genuine bill receipts.
The affected residents are now expected to lodge FIR at Kakori against the unknown LESA staff who were allegedly involved in issuing power connections and bills.
The matter came to light on Friday when a team of electricians led by local junior engineer of Dubagga power house snapped the power supply of the household. New Faridipur is an under developed area with no road, sewer or water supply.
Speaking to TOI, Imran, a victim of the fraud said, “Each household had paid Rs 35,000 each for power connection to Rishab Singh who identified himself to be associated with LESA. For last several months we were paying electricity bills issued by MVVNL on time, but on Friday a team of LESA snapped the power supply citing the connections to be fraud.”
Almost every defaulter household was receiving power supply from just one transformer with power cables hanging on bamboos. Electricity meter too were installed for billing.
On Monday, the victims are expected to meet LESA officials before filing an FIR in the matter.
Talking to TOI, executive engineer PK Singh of EDD-II CESS said, “The connections provided to New Faridipur residents were given under saubhagya yojana, which is only meant for rural areas at no cost. New Faridipur comes under urban area. During audit it was found that, local residents had managed to access power connections from a transformer which was 300-500 meters away from their home against the laid norms of only 40 meters.”
“Since the residents were duped by an outsider on the pretext of money, we have asked the victims to lodge FIR and apply for new power connections. New transformer, concrete pillars and power cables will be installed for which a sum estimate will be given to those who would apply for connection,” he said.
When questioned as why LESA was recovering electricity bill from fraud connections, the executive engineer said, “We are conducting internal inquiry as how IDs were generated on fraud connections to recover power bills. Action will be taken against the staff involved in the scam.”
It's important to note, that nearly four months back similar fraudulent connections were caught in Dubagga area.