This structured blog post highlights the critical issue of administrative evasion and the fight for transparency within the electricity department of Mirzapur.

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Shadows in the Power Grid: Challenging the Culture of Silence in Mirzapur’s Electricity Division

The Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005 was envisioned as a “sunlight” law—designed to illuminate the dark corners of bureaucracy and ensure that public servants remain accountable to the citizens they serve. However, in the Electricity Distribution Division Second, District Mirzapur, that light currently seems to be flickering.

Recent filings by transparency advocate Yogi M. P. Singh reveal a troubling pattern of evasion that threatens the very foundation of lawful governance in Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PUVVNL).

1. The Timeline of Neglect: A Violation of Section 7(1)

Under the legal framework of the RTI Act, a Public Information Officer (PIO) is mandated to provide information within 30 days of receiving an application. The facts of the current case suggest a blatant disregard for this statutory timeline:

• Application Filed: 26th November 2024 (Reg No: PUVNL/R/2024/60647)
• Target Deadline: 26th December 2024
• Current Status: As of late January 2025, nearly two months have passed without a formal response.

This delay is not merely a “clerical oversight”; it is a violation of Section 7(1) of the RTI Act 2005, which strips citizens of their fundamental right to know.

2. Evasion as an Admission of Guilt?

The core of the dispute involves the arbitrary actions of a Junior Engineer under the supervision of the Executive Engineer (EE). When a public authority avoids providing specific, point-wise information, it raises a necessary question: What is being hidden?

The refusal to answer suggests that the department may be shielding staff members from the consequences of corruption or administrative malpractice. By withholding documents, the Executive Engineer of EDD-2 Fatha Mirzapur is effectively acting as a barrier between the public and the truth.

3. The Danger of “The Honest Facade”

Perhaps the most poignant point raised in this appeal is the danger of the “pseudo-honest” public servant. While openly corrupt individuals are easy to identify, those who use a facade of integrity to mask administrative negligence are far more damaging to the system.

• Erosion of Trust: Constant delays discourage citizens from engaging with the government.
• Systemic Decay: When PIOs are not held accountable for ignoring RTI queries, it emboldens others to bypass the law.

4. The Path Forward: Accountability and Discipline

An appeal (Reg No: PUVNL/A/2025/60011) has now been lodged with the First Appellate Authority (FAA), Mr. Ram Das (SE, EDC Mirzapur). To restore the integrity of the department, the following steps are essential:

1. Immediate Disclosure: The PIO, Manish Kumar Srivastava, must be directed to provide the sought information immediately and without further obfuscation.
2. Disciplinary Action: The FAA must exercise its power to recommend disciplinary proceedings against officials who deliberately obstruct the flow of information.
3. End to Arbitrary Actions: The “Jungle Raj” of arbitrary decision-making by Junior Engineers must be replaced by documented, transparent processes.

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Conclusion

Transparency and accountability are not optional favors granted by the department; they are the cornerstones of public service. Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited must decide whether it wants to be seen as a modern public utility or a sanctuary for administrative opacity. The citizens of Mirzapur deserve an answer.

To ensure your RTI appeal is successful, it is critical to present these specific points of inquiry clearly to the First Appellate Authority (FAA). Based on your requirements, I have refined and structured the information sought into five precise points that highlight the suspected irregularities and the PIO’s failure to act.

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Refined Points of Information for the First Appeal

Subject: Specific Information sought from PIO Manish Kumar Srivastava (EE, EDD-2, Mirzapur)

The appellant requires the following information regarding the arbitrary actions and possible collusion of the staff at the Electricity Distribution Division Second:

1. Connection Details of Tarak Nath Yadav: Provide the complete records of the electricity connection held by Mr. Tarak Nath Yadav S/O Avadhraj Yadav. This must include the meter number, sanctioned load, and the date of installation.
2. Ownership of Distribution Infrastructure: Provide a certified copy of the department’s verification report regarding the “two-core black cable” used at the premises, which legitimately belongs to the aggrieved consumer, Mr. Lok Nath Yadav.
3. Details of Proxy Connections: Provide details of any electricity connection(s) taken by Mr. Tarak Nath Yadav in the name of his wife at a separate/distant location. Include the address of the premises and the current status of that connection.
4. Statement of Outstanding Dues: Provide the total outstanding amount (arrears) against any and all connections registered in the name of Mr. Tarak Nath Yadav. Please clarify if these dues were the reason a second connection was refused in his direct name.
5. Non-Diconnection Justification: Provide the official reason or department policy under which the connection of Mr. Tarak Nath Yadav was not disconnected despite the existence of heavy dues, as per the standard recovery protocols of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited.

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Strategy for the Appeal

To hold the PIO accountable for the 56-day delay (as of your filing date), you should emphasize the following legal grounds during your hearing or in your written rejoinder:

• Section 7(1) Violation: The PIO failed to provide a response within 30 days. Under the law, this is now a “Deemed Refusal.”
• Section 20(1) Penalty: Remind the FAA that the PIO is liable for a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) for this unexplained delay.
• Section 19(5) Burden of Proof: In the appeal proceedings, the burden of proving that the denial or delay was justified lies solely on the PIO, not the appellant.

Potential Impact of These Points

By asking for these specific details, you are pinning down the department on two fronts:

1. Revenue Loss: If they haven’t disconnected a defaulter with “heavy dues,” they are causing a loss to the state exchequer.
2. Discrimination: It highlights the “arbitrary action” where one brother (Lok Nath Yadav) is being harassed while the other (Tarak Nath Yadav) is allegedly being shielded despite non-payment.

To help you track and manage your case effectively, here are the official identification details, contact information, and digital resources associated with your RTI application and appeal.

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1. Official Case Identification

Keep these numbers ready for all future correspondence with the department or the State Information Commission.

• RTI Application Reg. No: PUVNL/R/2024/60647 (Filed: 26/11/2024)
• First Appeal Reg. No: PUVNL/A/2025/60011 (Filed: 22/01/2025)

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2. Key Contact Directory (Mirzapur Division)

These are the officers directly responsible for your case. If the online portal does not update, you can reach out via these channels.

Designation	Name of Officer	Mobile Number	Email ID
First Appellate Authority (FAA)	Ram Das	9415304000	se.mirzapur@puvvnl.in
Public Information Officer (PIO)	Manish Kumar Srivastava	9450963598	ee.2mirzapur@puvvnl.in
Nodal Officer (PUVVNL)	Sandeep Kumar Verma	—	rtipuvvnl@gmail.com
PUVVNL Customer Care	Toll-Free	1912	1912@puvvnl.in

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3. Essential Web Links & Portals

You can use these links to track the live status of your appeal or file further complaints.

• UP RTI Online Portal:rtionline.up.gov.in
  • Use this to check “View Status” using your Registration Number and Email.
• PUVVNL Official Site:puvvnl.in
  • Access the “Officers Directory” and “Mirzapur Map” for structural details of the authority.
• UPPCL RTI Dashboard:uppcl.org/uppcl/en/article/right-to-information
  • For overarching rules and contact lists of the parent organization.

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4. Next Steps for Accountability

Since the mandatory 30-day period for the PIO has long expired, and the First Appeal is now active:

1. Draft a Reminder: Send a brief email to the FAA (se.mirzapur@puvvnl.in) referencing your Appeal Number PUVNL/A/2025/60011.
2. Request a Hearing: Ask the FAA to fix a date for a hearing (online or offline) as per the RTI Act guidelines.
3. Prepare for Second Appeal: If the FAA does not pass an order within 30 to 45 days from your filing date (22/01/2025), you will be eligible to file a Second Appeal with the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission (UPSIC).

Would you like me to draft a formal “Letter of Reminder” for you to email to the Superintending Engineer (FAA) today?