Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram   

Upa Lok Ayukta directive to KSEB

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 17. The Upa Lok Ayukta, V. Bhaskaran Nambiar, has asked the Secretary, Power, to issue directions to the Kerala State Electricity Board to follow the relevant statutory provisions and Government directives in sanctioning pension and disbursing Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) amounts instead of merely endorsing the report of the vigilance wing of the KSEB.

The orders were passed on a complaint filed by Jacob Philip, Assistant Executive Engineer, who retired from KSEB on January 31, 2002, against the decision of the Board for effecting the recovery of Rs. 28,650 while sanctioning the pension benefits.

The petitioner was issued a Non-Liability Certificate on February 6 by the Executive Engineer. Four months after retirement, the Executive Engineer, West, informed Mr. Philip

that Rs. 28,650 had been fixed as the liability and that the NLC issued from the office would be revised incorporating this amount as liability as directed by the Chief Engineer (HRM).

The Board contended that Mr. Philip, while working as Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Major Section, Kesavadasapuram, had his abused official position and caused losses to the Board on account of the sanctioning of an agricultural connection in a premise where a domestic connection was already in existence.

It was pointed out that the IGP (Vigilance and Security), KSEB, recommended to the Accounts Officer that the reported loss suffered by the Board be recovered.

The Upa Lok Ayukta, in his interim order on January 4, 2003, had noted that no proceedings were issued, enquiry conducted or liability fixed by the Board, the DCRG amount could not be withheld under Rule 3 Part III of the KSR.

The Upa Lok Ayukta has now asked the KSEB to disburse the entire DCRG due to the petitioner within one month of the receipt of the directions. The competent authority, Secretary, Power, has also been asked to furnish the action taken report to the Upa Lok Ayukta within one month.

The action of the respondents in refusing disbursement of entire DCRG to the petitioner was against law and the principles of natural justice, the order said. The injustice and undue hardship to the petitioner had to be remedied, it added.

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

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Indigenous malaria cases resurface at Valiathura
• KWA proposes 30 p.c. hike in water cess
• Traders oppose traffic curbs at Chalai
• Dams safety: CM urged to intervene
• Central nod likely for sea wall project
• Dispute over office building hots up
• Upa Lok Ayukta directive to KSEB
• Call to retain democratic character of varsities

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu