- (1.) This present Public Interest Petition contains five areas which need to be investigated by a High Powered Committee :- (1) Large scale theft of electricity by consumers of all categories (in particular, HV1 and HV2) with or without connivance of officials of the Electricity Board and ways and means to deter it (together with extent of responsibility in cases of theft where no connivance is proved.) (2) An instrumentation system for metering supply of electricity with appropriate checks and balances through computerised software so that theft of the electricity is minimised and proper recordings are always available. (3) Energy Auditing and, in particular, proper systems of Auditing and metering electricity which is generated and supplied throughout the State irrespective of the sector or area to which it is supplied. (4) Political and high level interference in the independent functioning of the Board and accountability. (5) Loss of coal wagons purported to be in transit to the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board (UPSEB) including ways and means to deter it - accounting and responsibility.
(2.) After hearing learned counsel for the State, the UPSEB and the Amicus Curiae, we are satisfied that at this stage an order as indicated hereafter is required to be made. Accordingly, we order as under : We appoint a High Powered Committee consisting of the following persons for the purpose of dealing with the above areas and also with the allegations contained in the writ petition and the various supplementary affidavits. (1) Mr. S. Venkatnarayanan (IAS) retd. formerly Chairman, National Power Finance Corporation. (2) Mr. Prakash Singh formerly Director General of Police (UP) and former Director General, BSF. (3) Mr. R. N. Srivastava, Chairman, Central Electricity Authority. (4) Dr. EAS Sarma (IAS) Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India. (5) An expert auditor to be nominated by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
(3.) Mr. B. B. Sharma, formerly, Member-Secretary, UPSEB is requested to function as the Secretary of the High Powered Committee.;