Why this theft is a shocker!
Swami Vivekanand Institute pilfers electricity from two light poles to power 400-V halogen lamps to illuminate its facade. What is AMC’s loss? Rs 24,000 a month
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Tuesday, August 09, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/2011080920110809021615307ad2ba50d/Why-this-theft-is-a-shocker.html)
At a time when power theft has become a major challenge for the civic body, an educational institute is blatantly rustling electricity to brighten its future. For the past one month, the building of Swami Vivekanand Institute near Akhbarnagar Circle in Nava Vadaj is being left illuminated for 12 hours — from 6.30 pm to 6.30 am.
Though unfortunate, wasting electricity is still not a crime in our country, but stealing definitely is. Two 400-volt halogen lamps throw light on the facade of the institute that was set up a year ago. The lamps are tied to two electricity poles across the street.
Two white wires snake around the poles (numbered 7786 and 7787) and into mounted transformers. It is clear that the seal on the transformers have been tampered with to connect the wires inside. The loss to AMC caused by power theft: Rs 24,000 a month!
The institute offers courses like BBA, BCA, hotel management, computers and accountancy. It is also a centre for courses offered by Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University. Ahead of the new academic year, the institute had advertised heavily to draw students. The lights were added last month to draw people’s attention and popularise the institute — at public expense.
Power play
Said Dinesh Panchal, a resident of nearby Sagar Apartments, “When the lights were first turned on, we thought the institute was hosting some major function. The light poles are at a distance from the road, leaving the area dimly lit. But when a passer-by nears the patch where the institute is situated, suddenly, night turns to day.”
He added, “The lamps are powered by poles installed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for the public. It is a facility funded through of tax-payers’ money. There is an AMC office a little further down the road, but officials will not take action against the institute. They know about the power theft but they will not do anything as the institute is run by people with political influence.”
One of the institute’s trustees is senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Surendra Patel.
Mighty warning ?
Anil Pawar, an electrician from Nava Vadaj, said, “These halogen lamps are made for 400-volt operation and have strong light output. Since these lights are being used for commercial purpose, the electricity charge will be around Rs 400-Rs 450 per lamp for 12 hours.”
This means the institute has been stealing power worth Rs 24,000 every month from the AMC.
Interestingly, Municipal Commissioner Guruprasad Mahapatra issued a ‘public warning’ in the form of an advertisement in vernacular newspapers on Sunday. It read: “Streelights are public facility. But several people steal current from the poles to light up social and religious functions. They also encroach upon areas where power cables are laid. These cables carry 230-volt current which can electrocute people. If anyone steals power from these cables/poles, legal action will be taken against violators. Also, they will also have to pay for the damages caused.”
Now, it is left to be seen if this is another empty threat or the civic chief really means business this time.
