Electrifying facts about the functioning of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB): In 2004, the Board's internal vigilance wing recommended major penalty proceedings against 40 employees right from junior engineers to chief engineer. The allegations ranged from embezzling employee's provident fund to disconnecting power supply for harassing the consumers.

The sources in the PSEB revealed that inquiry proceedings in 24 cases were finalised in 2004. At least a dozen officers — against whom action has been recommended — were occupying the posts of executive engineers and above. In some of the cases, removal and initiation of disciplinary proceedings was recommended.

Besides major penalty proceedings, the registration of criminal cases against two employees — under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act — was also advocated.

The wing further suggested minor punishments in at least four cases, besides the transfer or removal of 12 employees from sensitive posts. At least three of the employees — to be transferred out — belonged to the Patiala circle.

A substantial number of the inquiries were conducted under the direct supervision of Punjab's Director-General of Police — in charge of PSEB's internal vigilance wing — Lalit Bhatia.

Giving details of the cases, the sources said the officers were accused of possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, besides demanding bribe for releasing illegal connections. In some cases the connections were released even though the facts had been misrepresented.

The sources added that the wing also unearthed cases where officers had furnished false date of birth certificates for gaining employment. This was not all. The government money was blocked after transformers were purchased by the officers concerned, even though they were not required. Several of the transformers were lying idle. They added that some of the purchases were made from a single source.

The sources further claimed that a labour scam and "HT motor" repair scam was also reported from Guru Gobind Thermal Plant at Ropar. Besides this another scam came to light in which bogus certificates were issued to the daily wagers in Phagwara.

Mr Bhatia, when contacted, said the PSEB Chairman had been asked to upload information about convictions, dismissals, besides the initiation of other action against the officers, on the Board's official website.