Publicity stunt costs ‘power man’ his job in Bihar

A publicity stunt has cost a rural revenue franchisee his job in Bihar’s Sheohar district, power officials said on Monday.

A publicity stunt has cost a rural revenue franchisee his job in Bihar’s Sheohar district, power officials said on Monday.

As per NBPDCL official, Tiwari says he was instigated by a local journalist to act in the manner he did and say on camera that he preferred riding a horse than using his motorbike for collection of energy bills as petrol had become dearer. (Picture for representation)

In a video clip gone viral, Abhijit Tiwari, tasked with collection of energy bills from consumers, is seen riding a horse in rural Sheohar to collect payment against energy bills.

“Tiwari now says he was instigated by a local journalist to act in the manner he did and say on camera that he preferred riding a horse than using his motorbike for collection of energy bills as petrol had become dearer,” said Shrawan Thakur, electrical executive engineer of Sheohar, North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL).

“His comment had political overtones and tarnished the image of our department, prompting the stringent action,” Thakur said. “We have recorded his confessional statement in course of an inquiry conducted before his termination.”

Soon after Tiwari’s video went viral, Pankaj Rajesh, superintending engineer with NBPDCL in Muzaffarpur, constituted a three-member inquiry committee, which met on March 31 and recommended Tiwari’s termination based on his statement.

On April 2, the assistant electrical engineer, Sheohar, terminated Tiwari’s engagement with the NBPDCL, said Thakur.

Rural revenue franchisees are individuals who work on a part-time basis and get six per cent commission from discoms on the total collection of energy bills.