HC notice to energy dept over power scheme

Indore: High court on Monday issued notices to energy department in a PIL alleging non-implementation of Atal Jyoti Yojana of state government in many villages of Rajgarh and Dhar districts.

The Indore division bench of Justice SC Sharma and Justice Virendra Singh directed respondents to file their reply to the allegation.

The PIL has been filed by an NGO Geeta Devi Yuvak Mandal Society active in the two districts through advocate Aviral Vikas Khare.

The petitioner told the court that as per Atal Jyoti Yojana, a segregation of power lines for domestic and agriculture purposes was to be done across the state. On the domestic lines, the supply of electricity was scheduled to be for 24 hours a day, whereas on the agricultural line, it was scheduled to be given for 10 hours a day.

The petitioner alleged that this system was not implemented completely across Dhar and Rajgarh districts as many households in these two districts were receiving electric supply for just 10 hours a day.

It has also been alleged that despite work being incomplete in the areas, the contractor company was granted completion certificate and payment against the work was also made to it.

The first relief sought in the PIL completion of power lines segregation in rural areas of the two districts and supply of electricity as per provisions of the scheme. The secondary relief sought is regarding an investigation into the work carried out by the contractor company and action to be taken against the responsible persons.

The petitioner claimed that several representations were also sent to the energy department regarding this, but no action was taken on ground, while on paper the project is implemented completely.