DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): A citizen of Kohima KC Angami has raised the issue of power theft in the State and also the deteriorating power scenario. In an interesting comment, the writer states that “the knowledge and practice of theft of energy” is not an easy task and “usually confined to the most crooked persons having the knowledge of Power/Energy. He also alleges that this is done either in collaboration with departmental staff or electrical wiring contractors.
“Hence, the erring elements in societies can be easier to detect than any other thefts and removed. Is it not a shame in a Christian State of Nagaland praying every day/evening? Or will God forgive the habitual thefts?” he questions over this vice that appears to have taken its toll on electricity consumption. Pointing out that the Power Department is considered a technical organization; he says that theft of energy is not only violation of Service Conduct Rules, but also cheating the citizens. He suggests that unscrupulous elements should not be spared on any ground.
The writer goes on to state that the reasons for a developing state like Nagaland with comparatively limited industries facing power shortage after full-fledged for 40 years is partly due to lack of planning and also the failure of sustainable projects due to negligence and corruption.
“The turnkey Mini Hydel Project Dikhu, near Mokokchung claimed to meet a calamity after being commissioned by Ex-Minister, Z Lohe”, he says and goes on to add that projects, big or small, “are never undertaken on earmarking calamities with Government properties vanishing at site”.
Obviously unhappy with the load shedding going on at present, the writer states that the sorry state of affairs at present across the entire State “is a mockery not only to the Department of Power but also to the Government of Nagaland” besides taking it toll on the technical officials and staff of the Department. “Drastic actions deserve to be taken, such as blackout to the districts of erring officials as punishment before the eyes of the Nagas”. The writer suggest that the Power Department be either ‘reactivated’ or be turned into a “State Electricity Board”, pointing out that this will test “the capabilities of officials heading the Department while at the same time avoiding power mongers, nepotism, red-tapism, service partialities, partial community recruitments”.
The writer alleges that corruption is deeply rooted into the functioning of the department and those running the show as “self-centred incumbents who are supposed to serve at the interest of the public and State Government”.
