The Hindu : New Delhi News : Govt.-funded leprosy home caught stealing power

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 08, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Govt.-funded leprosy home caught stealing power

Staff Reporter

10 illegal units allegedly operate from within the premises

NEW DELHI: A Delhi Government-funded leprosy home at Dilshad Garden in North-East Delhi was on Tuesday found by the Delhi police and the power distribution company BSES Yamuna Power Limited to be allegedly operating 10 illegal plastic units from within the premises and also stealing 250 KW of power for running the machines.

The incident has exposed that not only has the Delhi Government been unsuccessful in implementing the Supreme Court order of May 7, 2004, on closure of industrial units in non-conforming areas, it is also not serious about ensuring that the funds spent by it for social welfare activities are not diverted to units indulging in hazardous and polluting activities.

The matter came to light when a BYPL Enforcement Team went to the Kushth Ashram or Leprosy Home and found 10 illegal units to be operating out of the premises. With not a single connection, the units were illegally drawing power from a nearby low voltage mains line. The detection left the power company officials shocked as they had not expected such illegal units to be operating in an area meant for rehabilitation of leprosy patients. The team also found direct theft of 250 KW and slapped a penalty of Rs 2.76 crores on the accused.

Stating that "the Ashram, ironically, is funded both by government and private Aid'', the BSES said, "these illegal factories were hooking power from the nearby BSES LV mains and were found to be running three shifts.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail