Latest news with #KeralaStateElectricityBoardLtd
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
KSEB owes police dept over 126 crore
Thiruvananthapuram: In a curious turn of events, Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd (KSEB) now finds itself in the red—not for unpaid power bills by others, but for dues it owes the police department. After a detailed reconciliation of long-standing mutual claims, the finance department ruled that KSEB must pay Rs 126.86 crore to the police, primarily for security services provided at vital power installations across the state. The development comes at a time when electricity bills are burdening not only the public but also govt departments. With rising power consumption—largely driven by the widespread use of air conditioners—several departments are struggling to pay their KSEB bills. In some cases, the situation has even started affecting public service delivery. For instance, agriculture department's scheme to provide subsidised power to eligible farmers was impacted due to the department's mounting KSEB dues. In this instance, KSEB itself defaulted on payments to the police department for years for protection services at the electricity utility's high-security installations like hydroelectric dams and power stations, which are guarded round the clock. These installations have long been on the state's critical infrastructure list, with agencies like intelligence bureau in 2021-22 warning that Idukki dam and similar sites could be targets for sabotage attempts, underscoring the need for continued, high-level surveillance. As per govt data, Rs 30.56 crore in KSEB's dues remained unpaid since prior to March 31, 2004—a liability that lingered for over two decades. Between 2004 and 2013, another Rs 46.56 crore was added as unpaid bills. From 2013 to 2023, the dues swelled to Rs 115.67 crore, including adjustments for govt's periodic revision of service charges meant to enhance non-tax revenue collection. As of March 31, 2024, KSEB owed the police department Rs 204.87 crore. But police too had outstanding dues to KSEB—particularly for power consumption. Notably, police department failed to pay its power bills for the entire 2023-24 financial year, and between 2004 and 2013, it accumulated Rs 60.34 crore in arrears. With both departments owing each other significantly, the matter was escalated to the finance department. After examining data from both sides, applying interest and multiplier factors for arrears and revised service rates, finance department settled the standoff. The final verdict: KSEB, after adjustments, still owes Rs 126.86 crore to the police. While the outcome may seem unusual, it highlights a lesser-known aspect of inter-departmental functioning where govt entities not only consume each other's services but often end up in prolonged financial entanglements. In this case, even state's electricity provider—accustomed to chasing dues—must now clear its own backlog with the very department that safeguarded its most critical assets.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Electric post collapse causes two accidents, one death in Kumbalam
Kochi: An electric post collapsed onto the road near Pranavam Junction in Kumbalam around 3am on Saturday, causing two back-to-back accidents in which one person was killed and another suffered grievous injury. Locals alleged that no efforts were made to remove the post or block the road even after the first accident, leading to a 54-year-old man dying in the subsequent accident. The collapsed post was a temporary one installed by Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd (KSEBL) to draw service wire to a house. A temple priest, identified as Suresh K N of Kumbalam, was on his way to a temple in Maradu for morning rituals when his motorcycle crashed into the post around 4.30am. He was rushed to VPS Lakeshore Hospital, where he was admitted to neurosurgical intensive care unit for observation. Another accident occurred at the same spot when a muezzin, Abdul Gafoor , 54, met with the accident while on his way for morning azan. His two-wheeler also collided with the same damaged post and was brought to emergency department of Lakeshore at 5.10am. He was unresponsive on arrival and was declared dead at 5.30am. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo The accidents occurred along Kumbalam PWD Road in ward 17. Palluruthy block panchayat member Jolly Pawathil, who lives in the neighbourhood, said two police vehicles passed by the area after the first accident but didn't block the road or remove the post. Panangad police sources admitted that a control room vehicle and another unit from the station passed through the area, with CCTV footage showing police vehicles passing through at 3.27am and 3.57am. Police said the control room vehicle alerted KSEBL and fire force to remove the post and that there were not enough personnel on the vehicles to remove it. Jolly said police could've either sought the help of locals or local body members to remove the post, if not at least block the road.
