Nagla Fatela electrification row: Centre sends showcause notice to UP power firm over non-supply

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, had said that although Nagla Fatela was only three hours away from Delhi, it took 70 years for electricity to reach there.

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After the PM mentioned Nagla Fatela in his speech, officials of the power department, rushed to the village to check the status. 150 homes get power using ‘katia’ connections. (Express Photo: Manoj Aligadi)

The Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), which is under the central government, has issued a showcause notice to Uttar Pradesh’s power distribution company, Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL), asking it to clarify the non-supply of electricity in Nagla Fatela village of Hathras district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, had said that although Nagla Fatela was only three hours away from Delhi, it took 70 years for electricity to reach there. The Indian Express Tuesday reported that only 150 homes, out of total 600 in the village, were getting electricity and even that was through illegal ‘katia’ connections.

“Press report mentioned that there are 150 illegal ‘katia’ connections with the transformer meant to run tubewells and in return villagers will pay Rs 395 to DVVNL. This is in violation of Section 135(1) of the Indian Electricity Act,” said the show cause notice to DVVNL.

The REC also took objection to the statement given by V S Gangwar, DVVNL’s Chief Engineer at Aligarh Division, who told The Indian Express that around 150 houses have power since 1985, but only through such ‘katia’ connections. It said the detailed project report submitted by the state-level standing committee headed by the Chief Secretary in 2013 clearly stated that no household had power at that time.

The DVVNL had informed the central government in November 2015 that 82 Above Poverty Line (APL) households of Nagla Fatela had electricity and the infrastructure, which included four transformers, 88 poles, had been established.

“You may also clarify why, if the infrastructure work has been completed and certified on 30.10.2015 as reported to DVVNL, no connection has so far been released to households, including BPL households, and the infrastructure remained unutilised after spending public money, including the central government grant,” said the REC showcause notice.

“In case your reply is not received within three days, action as deemed appropriate will be initiated,” REC added.

First uploaded on: 18-08-2016 at 00:44 IST

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