THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Power Board Officers’ Federation has opined that the KSEB is not keeping vigil to claim the dam safety grant from the Union Government.
Federation general secretary R.Chandrachoodan Nair, vice-presidents N.Raghuvaran and N.Kesavaperumal said here on Monday that other State Governments were claiming Rs 30 to 40 crore every year as Dam Safety Fund. But the KSEB has not been able to convince the Central Electricity Authority, despite having a Deputy Chief Engineer Office in New Delhi, they said.
The Federation office-bearers said that out of the Rs 1,850 crore due to the Board as electricity charge from consumers, Rs 1,200 crore was from large-scale consumers. The best way to avoid dues is to use pre-paid meters, they said. In West Bengal, pre-paid meters have already been introduced. They said that this system should be introduced in the State in a phased manner.
The 17th state conference of the Federation will be held at the Priyadarshini Planetarium hall here on November 24 and 25. Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the conference on Thursday. V.S.Sivakumar will preside over the function. KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala will deliver the key-note address. Electricity Minister A.K.Balan will inaugurate the seminar to be held from 11.30 am.