VASCO
A video which went viral on social media showed the engineer allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 18,000 to release a domestic electricity connection. According to sources in the electricity department, the engineer was caught on camera demanding Rs 7,000 for electricity supply cables, Rs 3,000 for an electricity meter and Rs 6,000 as department fees from the applicant.
“The applicant paid Rs 15,000 as demanded by the engineer, but on Wednesday, he demanded an additional Rs 3,000. When the applicant brought to the engineer’s notice that he had already paid Rs 15,000 earlier and he had only Rs 2,000, the engineer accepted the Rs 2,000 and directed the applicant to pay the balance amount the next time,” informed the source.
When the applicant asked for the break-up of the amount and receipt, the engineer allegedly informed that a receipt for only Rs 6,000 would be provided, as the payment was made through the demand draft.
“The engineer told the applicant that Rs 7,000 was towards two sets of power supply wires and Rs 3,000 was towards the electricity meter and additional Rs 3,000 as his commission and for this the applicant will not get the receipt,” said the source, adding that the conversation was recorded by the applicant and the engineer was not aware of it. It was later uploaded on YouTube, which went viral on social media.
Acting on the video, the electricity department swung into action.“The deputy director of electricity department has already started an enquiry against the engineer and the matter is being thoroughly investigated,” said Electricity Department Executive Engineer Sivashankaran.
“Power supply cables and the meter are supplied free by the department, but meter rent is charged through electricity bills,” he added.
