Govt suffered huge loss due to installation of defective meters in govt flats: CAG

Patna,(BiharTimes): The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the year 2011-12 said the Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited (BSPHCL), formerly Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) lost Rs 17.40 crore because it installed defective meters in the government residential buildings.

The report tabled in the state Assembly on Thursday, said “We examined the records viz. the consumers’ master data and ledger bills etc, relating to 1,940 government quarters (420 for officers and 1520 for other staff) taking power connections from the board and noticed various deficiencies.”

According to the report the 420 quarters, where defective meters were installed included 84 officers’flat in Punaichak, 90 officers' flat on Bailey Road and 150 ABC officers' hostel, Punaichak.

Besides, the staff quarters included 316 quarters in different police stations at Patna.

The report further said in 320 quarters, including 281 police quarters, electricity was being used without proper connection between April 2007 and March 2012.

The CAG further said in case of 147 officers/staff quarters, bills were being issued on an average basis since there were either no meters or defective meters.

The report also said payment was not made by 56 officers' quarters for the period between April, 2011 and January, 2012 and the arrears had accumulated to Rs 35.82 lakh by January 31, 2012. But, their supply was not disconnected.

It was revealed that in the case of 39 quarters, bills were served in the name of officers who had already left the quarters and the new allottees/occupants were using electricity without taking fresh connection from the Board.

The Board failed to install correct/working meters and inspect the premises to detect the unauthorized use of electricity as per the provisions of the Act, losing the opportunity of earning revenue of Rs 17.40 crore. The report also said the matter was reported to the government/Board in August 2012 but there was no reply till November 2012.