PANAJI
A subdued response to the Electricity Department’s advisory about obtaining permission to install power-generating devices has prompted the officials to crack a whip on violators by conducting surprise checks.
The department has also issued a stern warning that in cases of electrocution accidents caused by inverters, they will file criminal charges against the responsible consumers.
The Goan spoke to a senior engineer who conceded a lackluster response to their advisory issued last month following the death of its lineman.
“Many consumers might be using inverters without proper authorisation. Since there’s a near-to-negligible response, we have decided to deploy our junior engineers to carry out surprise inspections. If any premises are found in violation of the advisory, we will take appropriate action,” he stated.
The department had previously made it clear that consumers would be held accountable for any damage to departmental infrastructure or loss of life, which could result in both civil and criminal prosecution if they connect power-generating devices to their premises without authorisation. The officer further added the consequences of non-compliance explaining they have enough resources to tap violators. “If there is any casualty or fatality owing to the inverter, the concerned consumer will be held liable for criminal proceedings. We have created a widespread awareness of our advisory through the media. Despite this, if consumers fail to comply, they will face action in the event of any adverse incidents,” the engineer said while citing Supply Code Regulations of 2018, which was notified on February 21, 2019.
“The Rule always existed,” he said.
The urgency of the advisory was after a department lineman was electrocuted and subsequently succumbed due to an inverter that back-fed power into a deactivated line while he was working on it.
“Consumers who have not informed the department or obtained the necessary permission should immediately disconnect and isolate these devices from their internal wiring connected to the department's system. Failure to install isolating devices or to submit the required technical and operational details through a state-authorised licensed electrical contractor will result in the consumer being held accountable for any damage to the department's infrastructure and any resultant loss of life,” the advisory stated.
