Power sub-station vandalised by mob protesting new scheme

Vadodara, July 13 (UNI) A mob today ransacked the Tarsali sub-station of the Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited, protesting against the government's move to introduce a voluntary disclosure scheme and collect an additionl security deposit of Rs 400 from each consumer in the state.

The protesters, who were staging a peaceful demonstration before the sub-station, turned violent and pelted stones at the power company's office following an altercation with its employees.

Later, a group stormed and ransacked the office damaging its computers, furnitures and other assets.

Makarpura police sources said no arrests have been made in this connection so far, as the power company is yet to file an FIR.

Last month, all four zonal power companies in the state had instructed their consumers, both domestic and commercial, to provide details about their electrical appliances and supply points under the voluntary disclosure scheme by July 15 in order to ascertain the power load capacity of every individual consumer.

However, there was wide-spread resentment over the demand for an additional security deposit of Rs 400 and the proposal to impose hefty fines to the tune of Rs 42,000 for commercial and Rs 4,200 for domestic consumers if they exceed their power load capacity.

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