Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 16: Addressing a press conference on Wednesday October 15 here, divisional secretary of Human Rights Union, Hamid Pajapalla, alleged that under the directions of state energy minister, D K Shivakumar, the power enjoyed by vigilance squad has been compromised with, by bringing it under the jurisdiction of electricity supply companies. Flashing documents obtained under Rights to Information Act, he said that this action has brought vigilance under the powers of corrupt officials, which is like handing over keys of the lock to the thief.

Under this initiative, the vigilance squad which hitherto was functioning under police department, will come under the administration of the managing directors of electricity supply companies in the state. For making this happen, the post of the escom vigilance inspector general of police and additional director general of police stand cancelled. The services of the current ADGP (vigilance) in KPTCL and Escoms have been shifted back to the department of personnel and administrative reforms. The under secretary to the government in the department of energy has asked the posts of superintendents of police (vigilane) in the five electricity supply companies to be brought under the purview of the respective managing directors, and submit a report thereof to the government.

Pajapalla said that this measure had been undertaken without bringing the same either before the cabinet or taking the opposition into confidence. 'The move has been kept a secret. It is surprising that posts of police officers have been cancelled, and powers of other vigilance officers have been curtailed. This is backed by conspiracy hatched by electrical contractors, and officials of KPTCL and electricity supply companies,' he alleged.

Founder president of Human Rights Union, Balakrishna Rai, director, Vijay Preasad Alva, and taluk unit president, Jayaram, were present at the press conference.