Journalism of Courage
Jesco Corporation Ltd,an industrial unit in Yerawada drawing high tension power,has been fined a whopping Rs 21.63 crore by Mahrashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) for irregularity in the form of selling electricity to other commercial units in the same building.
After a tip-off,a vigilance squad led by deputy director Shivaji Indalkar raided JE Complex on March 4. It found that many commercial units had installed separate meters and were drawing electricity from Jesco,which was charging fees. Officials found that Jesco had provided illegal power to the tune of Rs 21 crore and fines it Rs 21.63 crore as per the Electricity Act,2003.
It took us days to assess the amount of irregularity. We came to know that Jesco had been indulging in this from 2002 and we imposed the fine from that period minus their monthly payments. They can now appeal to the state government or pay the penalty within a month,failing which supply to these units will be disconnected, said Indalkar.
The Pune unit of MSEDCL had earlier fined Sajda Industries for supplying power illegally to Spicer College.
