JBVNL Suspends Two Senior Officials Over Alleged Irregularities in Smart Meter Project

Ranchi: The Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited has suspended two senior officials over alleged irregularities and negligence in the implementation of smart meter and energy accounting projects. The action was taken through two separate office orders issued by the corporation's headquarters on June 23.

According to JBVNL, lapses were detected in the execution of key projects being implemented under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and World Bank-supported initiatives. These projects include the installation of smart meters for 33/11 KV feeders, distribution transformers and electricity consumers, along with strengthening the billing and energy accounting systems. The corporation said the alleged negligence could have caused financial losses and adversely affected billing efficiency and energy accounting.

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Two senior officers suspended

Under Office Order No. 299, Siddharth Kumar Sharma, Senior Manager (Technical) and Additional Deputy General Manager (Technical), who was overseeing Energy Accounting and Energy Audit work, has been suspended with immediate effect. During the suspension period, his headquarters has been designated as the Electricity Supply Circle in Hazaribagh.

Similarly, Office Order No. 300 suspended Avadhesh Kumar, Senior Manager (GTO) and Senior Manager (Technical-TSG), who was responsible for works related to RDSS and the Jharkhand Power System Improvement Project. His headquarters during the suspension period will be the Electricity Supply Circle in Ramgarh.

Departmental inquiry to follow

JBVNL said departmental proceedings will be initiated against both officials. They will receive subsistence allowance as per service rules during the suspension period. The corporation also reiterated that any negligence or irregularity in the implementation of key power sector projects will be dealt with strictly, and accountability will be fixed wherever lapses are found.