PANAJI
The State government has initiated independent departmental inquiries against engineers and linemen suspended in connection with a series of fatal power-related accidents across the State, including incidents that claimed the lives of Electricity Department personnel. The reports will be submitted to the government for disciplinary action against those found guilty.
Sources said the Electricity Department has constituted an inquiry committee that has already begun investigating the cases involving three suspended Junior Engineers and seven linemen. The three suspended Assistant Engineers, being Gazetted Officers, will face separate departmental inquiries through the Directorate of Vigilance.
"The inquiry committee has already commenced its work. Besides examining the conduct of the suspended Junior Engineers and linemen, it will also investigate the broader circumstances surrounding the power-related accidents, identify lapses, fix accountability and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in future," sources said.
The decision follows a preliminary government probe into a spate of electrocution incidents and fatal accidents involving personnel. The preliminary inquiry reportedly found lapses on the part of several officials, leading to the suspension of three Assistant Engineers, three Junior Engineers and seven linemen.
While the directorate of vigilance issued suspension orders against the Assistant Engineers, the electricity department suspended the Junior Engineers and line staff.
Sources said each of the four major accidents will be examined independently, and all suspended personnel will be served notices and given an opportunity to present their defence before the inquiries are concluded. “More staffers are likely to face the heat once the inquiry is completed,” sources said.
The Directorate of Vigilance suspended three AEs – Emlesh Gaonkar, Suraj Palekar and Vikram Karekar.
The power department also suspended 10 personnel in connection with the incidents. Those suspended are junior engineers Saeesh Satardekar, Akshay Bomo Rekdo and Raj Satyavan Manjrekar, linemen/wiremen Kedar Mandrekar and Sudesh Gad, assistant lineman/wireman Pradip Gaddi, Pramod Kalkekar and Srikant L Pujari, and line helpers Ritul R Naik and Ghanasham G Parwar.
Showcause notices have been issued to executive engineers Uday C Kudalkar and Gangu R Kuttikar, as also to AE Sameer Chodankar.
Preliminary findings suggest that inadequate inspection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure may have contributed to some of the accidents. Officials noted that engineers are responsible for periodic inspection of electricity poles and transmission lines, particularly those running along roads, to ensure public safety and prevent such tragedies.
