Electricity Dept Team Arrives At Sambhal MP's Home Over Claims Of Power Theft, Security Upped

Amid allegations of electricity theft, a state electricity department team reached Sambhal MP Zia ur Rahman Barq's residence to check electricity meters.

A team from the state electricity department reached Sambhal Lok Sabha MP Zia ur Rahman Barq's residence on Thursday morning amid allegations of irregularity in the usage of electricity. 

The team, accompanied by security personnel was at the Samajwadi Party MP's residence to take meter readings and check the load of air conditioners, fans, and other electricity equipment. 

There have been allegations of electricity theft against the Sambhal MP as executive engineer Naveen Gautam has flagged that the usage of electricity according to meter readings is less than what is being actually consumed. 

Gautam said that the meter had been sent for investigation alleging tampering with the device. He also alleged the possibility of switching off one of the five meters installed at his residence. 

If investigation establishes tampering with the meters then a case will be registered against the MP, said the engineer. He further said that according to the electrical equipment being used at Barq's home, the electricity bill should amount to Rs 3000-4000. 

Making a serious allegation, Naveen Gautam said that when the team used to go for electricity checking in the area, the staff used to be beaten up, hence a meeting was held with the District Magistrate in the month of September.

Superintendent Engineer at the electricity department, Vinod Kumar said there are two electricity connections at the MP's premises, reported PTI. A two-kilowatt connection registered under MP Zia ur Rahman's name is located in the front of the property. The second one is another two-kilowatt connection registered under the name of his late grandfather, Shafiqur Rahman Barq, Kumar said.

"The name on the second meter was not updated after his grandfather's death. We are now sealing that meter and issuing a notice for a laboratory examination of its status. The examination will be conducted in the presence of parties concerned, and the process will be video-recorded for transparency," he added.

He also pointed out billing discrepancies saying the bill for the MP's meter has consistently shown zero usage over the last six months. The only exception was in June when a usage of 13 units was recorded. From July to November, the meter showed zero unit consumption," Kumar told reporters.