Contractor Fitted Smart Meters with Fake Signatures in Flats at Raiya Chowkdi
Following the installation of smart meters by the electricity company in Vadodara, a sensational revelation has emerged in Rajkot. The company responsible for the smart meter installation in the city has been accused of orchestrating a smart conspiracy. In the Ashirwad Heights at Raiya Chowkdi, contractors installed smart meters with forged signatures on documents without obtaining any approvals from the flat owners, leading the entire issue to the police.
After receiving a written complaint from the flat owners requesting legal action, the Gandhinagar police have issued a notice to the officials of the city’s electricity division-2, ordering them to explain the matter. There is a likelihood that details of the ongoing activities related to smart meter installations in Rajkot will be revealed in the coming days. Smart meters were installed in 22 flats at Ashirwad Heights on 150 Foot Ring Road in the city, replacing old meters. Many residents, who were away, were unaware of the meter replacement.
Believing it to be a standard procedure, everyone had proceeded with recharging. During this period, one resident checked the application for recharging and found Form 15, which was shocking because it contained forged signatures indicating that smart meters were installed with their presence and approval. Upon contacting all the flat owners and checking their applications, it was revealed that forged signatures were used for all 22 flats.
The residents, enraged by the contractors’ use of fake signatures to install meters, lodged a complaint with PGVCL. However, PGVCL officials appeared indifferent and unresponsive to the scandal. Since forgery of signatures constitutes a serious crime, a complaint was filed at the Gandhinagar police station. The police have begun issuing notices to PGVCL City Division-2 engineers for their statements.
Official’s Defiant Response to Forgery Complaint
Vijaysinh Jhalla, who filed the complaint against PGVCL’s conspiracy, stated, “My friend said that after signing Form 15, smart meters are installed. I informed PGVCL and spoke with Deputy Engineer B.M. Patel, who behaved as if he were the accused and responded defiantly, suggesting we file a complaint if signatures were forged! After hearing this response, I wrote to the police commissioner requesting a case to be filed for forgery, fraudulent documents, conspiracy, and misuse of public office. Consequently, the Gandhinagar police station has begun an investigation.”
Insight: Contractual Fraud for Profit
The conspiracy involving fake signatures and smart meter installations implicates both electricity officials and contractors.Investigation revealed that financial fraud was also involved. The contract for smart meters was awarded to the central government agency REC PDCL, which subcontracted the work to various firms like Prarava Energy and BCITS. The contractor is responsible for removing old meters, installing new ones, and maintaining them for ten years. They are paid ₹69 per meter per month, with the contract lasting for 93 months. Thus, a single meter installation earns the company ₹6,400 over 93 months. In the case of three-phase meters, the charge is even higher. Due to disputes over smart meters, contractors could not work in areas where people did not agree to meter installation. Therefore, the contractors devised a scheme to quickly install meters with forged signatures in high-rise buildings where multiple meters were installed simultaneously.
Written Complaint Against Those Involved in the Conspiracy
- Rajendra Wala, Chief Engineer, PGVCL
- K.B. Shah, Superintendent, Office of the Chief Engineer, PGVCL
- B.M. Patel, Executive Engineer, PGVCL City-2
- Deputy Engineer, Women’s College Sub-Division
- Responsible Officials of BCITS (RMP) Agency
