Kota, October 3: Rajasthan Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar on Saturday conducted surprise inspections of several Grid Sub-Stations (GSS), power lines and transformers in Kota city and expressed strong displeasure over the poor maintenance and alleged negligence by KEDL, the franchise company responsible for electricity distribution in the city.
During the inspection, the minister directed officials to constitute a high-level committee at the Jaipur level to investigate the condition of the power infrastructure and the functioning of KEDL. He also ordered that the cost of damage caused to government assets be recovered from the company.
The inspection was conducted in the presence of local public representatives and senior officials of the electricity department, including MLA Sandeep Sharma, BJP Kota city president Rakesh Jain, Mayor Anusuya Goswami, Deputy Mayor Vivek Rajvanshi and councillor Gopal Ram Manda.
Senior officials accompanying the minister included KEDL Technical Head Kody Venkatesan, PRO Rajesh Patoudi, CEO Manish Arora, JVVNL Executive Engineer Ashish Johri, TA to Chief Engineer Hemant Chaturvedi, AEN Ravindra Gautam and JEN Himanshu.
Nagar inspected the power infrastructure at Indra Vihar, Santosh Nagar, Jawahar Nagar 33/11 KV GSS, Teen Batti Circle and Vasant Vihar, among other areas.
Expressing concern over the condition of the infrastructure, the minister said that the 38 GSS handed over to KEDL for maintenance had deteriorated due to lack of proper upkeep. He pointed out that weeds and bushes had grown inside the premises, cleanliness was poor and buildings had not been painted on time.
He also raised concerns over the lack of adequate safety arrangements around transformers and the absence of regular safety audits, saying that such lapses could increase the risk of accidents.
Nagar said that the company had failed to carry out even basic maintenance of Rajasthan government assets over the past 10 years, leaving them in a severely deteriorated condition.
The minister also took a serious view of alleged irregularities in Vigilance Check Reports (VCRs). He said that incorrect VCRs were allegedly being prepared and settled without being properly entered online. He pointed out that KEDL did not have the legal authority to settle VCRs, as the power to do so rests with the JVVNL Executive Engineer. A notice has already been issued to the company in this regard, and further action is under consideration.
Nagar also reprimanded officials after observing open electrical panels during the inspection. He said that a company entrusted with the responsibility of improving electricity services must fulfil its basic maintenance and safety responsibilities.
The Energy Minister further announced that, apart from KEDL’s operations in Kota, the functioning of franchise companies operating in Bharatpur and Bikaner would also be subjected to a high-level investigation by a special team constituted at the Jaipur level.
He said that strict legal and administrative action would be taken against any company found responsible on the basis of the investigation report. He further stated that the entire amount of damage caused to Rajasthan government assets over the past 10 years would be recovered from KEDL.
