BESCOM junior engineer accused of violating rules, old electricity meter used even after building demolition

Allegations surface against a BESCOM junior engineer in Thanisandra O&M subdivision for allowing electricity connection through an old meter even after demolition and construction of a new factory building.

Serious allegations of irregularities have surfaced within the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), where engineers are accused of violating rules and causing losses to the power distribution company. A fresh case has now come to light involving a junior engineer who allegedly ignored regulations and allowed an electricity connection to continue even after a building was demolished.

The issue has been reported from BESCOM’s E-13 Subdivision under the Thanisandra Operation and Maintenance (O&M) division. The allegations are against Junior Engineer Manju Naik, who is accused of permitting illegal electricity usage by bypassing established procedures.

Reports claim that corruption and irregularities by some engineers within the power utility are increasing, with officials allegedly using their positions for personal benefit while causing losses to the organisation that provides essential electricity services.

According to the details that have emerged, rules set by BESCOM and the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) clearly state that if a building is completely demolished, the owner must surrender the electricity meter connected to that property. It is also the responsibility of engineers in the respective jurisdiction to ensure that the meter is officially surrendered.

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In the present case, a property owner identified as Goharjan had earlier constructed sheet houses on his land. Those structures were later completely demolished as part of a plan to build a factory godown on the same site.

However, despite the demolition of the old structures, the electricity meter that had been installed earlier was not surrendered to BESCOM. Instead of following the official procedure, the power connection reportedly continued using the same old meter even after the new factory godown was constructed.

Under normal rules, when a building is demolished and a new construction begins, the owner must obtain a temporary electricity meter for the construction work. Only after the building construction is completed should a new permanent meter be installed for the new structure.

But in this case, neither of these procedures were followed. During the entire period of construction, no temporary meter was installed, which itself is a violation of electricity regulations.

Even after the construction of the new factory godown, the authorities allegedly did not install a new electricity meter. Instead, the power supply continued through the old meter that belonged to the demolished structures.

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These actions are being described as illegal and against BESCOM rules, as both the surrender of the old meter and the installation of a temporary meter during construction are mandatory procedures.

The allegations further state that the junior engineer Manju Naik allowed these violations to happen, reportedly helping the property owner gain financial advantage. Because of these irregularities, BESCOM is believed to have suffered financial losses amounting to several lakhs of rupees.

The case also comes shortly after NewsFirst reports had already exposed irregularities involving three other engineers, highlighting concerns about misuse of authority within the department.