Power Department moots measures for improved accountability in matters related to electrical safety

A high-level meeting chaired by Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty here on Saturday decided to carry out regular inspections and review meetings for improving electrical safety. The meeting also decided to put in place measures for better accountability in preventing electrical accidents.

The meeting was called in connection with the electrocution of 13-year-old Midhun at the Boys’ High School, Thevalakkara, on July 17. Senior officials of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Electrical Inspectorate attended the meeting.

The State and district-level committees for averting electrical accidents formed through an October 1995 government order will be convened before August 15. All safety inspections and follow-up actions on electrical installations also will be completed by August 15.

As part of this decision, inspections on all electrical installations near schools, hospitals, government institutions and religious establishments will be completed this month. A safety inspection of power lines will be completed by August 15.

Special softwares will be introduced for recording details of electrical line inspections and the follow-up actions taken on them.

The meeting decided to ensure that the official committees on electrical safety and the vigilance committees formed at the local level meet at regular intervals.

It has also been decided to strictly implement a 2021 KSEB decision to use covered conductors in the construction of all power lines henceforth. Further, it has been decided to remove all unauthorised cables drawn on electric posts.

Saturday’s meeting also reviewed major electrical accidents reported during the past two weeks in different parts of the State.