LUCKNOW: The suspension of Gaurav Kumar, executive engineer (Collection) of Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited’s (MVVNL) Jankipuram zone, stemmed from alleged lapses in enforcing electricity load regulations at a building that later came under scrutiny after the Aliganj fire tragedy, MVVNL Managing Director Riya Kejriwal informed TOI.Addressing questions over the disciplinary action, Kejriwal said the suspension was not based solely on the fire incident but on the officer’s failure to act despite repeated violations of sanctioned electricity load norms. According to departmental rules, if a consumer’s electricity consumption exceeds the sanctioned load for three consecutive months, the concerned officials are required to issue a notice and initiate the process of enhancing the sanctioned load in line with actual consumption.In the case being investigated, the building had a sanctioned load of 20 kW. Departmental records showed that power consumption exceeded this limit continuously during August, September and October 2025. However, the mandatory administrative action was allegedly not taken by the executive engineer despite the sustained violation.Kejriwal said the same pattern was observed again this year, with the premises exceeding its sanctioned load for another three consecutive months before the fire incident. While she declined to disclose the exact level of excess consumption, sources told TOI that the sanctioned load was later increased to 34 kW. Despite the enhancement, the building’s electricity usage reportedly continued to remain above the approved limit.She further said that although records of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) may have classified the premises as residential, the electricity connection had been officially converted to the commercial category in 2016. Before that, the building operated under a domestic connection.Explaining the procedure, Kejriwal said consumers can apply for conversion of domestic connections to commercial ones through a prescribed process involving departmental verification. The discom can also initiate such conversion if inspections or data analysis reveal commercial activities being conducted on a domestic connection.She noted that electricity tariffs vary significantly across domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural categories. As commercial and industrial consumers pay higher rates than residential users, proper categorisation is critical for both billing and regulatory compliance.Responding to reports that the building lacked an Electrical Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC), Kejriwal said the issue remains under investigation. She emphasised that the final determination would be made by the Electrical Safety Directorate and not by the discom.“The inquiry is still underway and confirmation regarding the NOC status will come from the competent authority,” she said.
