Minister Krishnankutty directs KSEB officials to ensure free electricity for life-saving equipment

KOCHI: Minister Krishnankutty has said that the KSEB's scheme to provide free electricity for life-saving equipment of bedridden patients in homes will be made effective.

"We have noticed that there is some confusion among the KSEB employees regarding the free electricity scheme. Directions have been given to resolve this issue immediately," the minister said.

KSEB has the scheme to provide free electricity to life-saving equipment for bedridden patients. Kerala Kaumudi had reported that the KSEB employees were not aware of this scheme and that several applications seeking this benefit were being rejected. The minister gave instructions to the KSEB officials on the basis of this report.

The State Human Rights Commission has registered a case based on the Kerala Kaumudi report which stated that the KSEB officials were reluctant to comply with a government order to provide free electricity to life-saving equipment. The case was registered on the basis of the report published on December 18.

The commission also considered a complaint filed by human rights activist Ragam Rahim by including the Kerala Kaumudi report. Human Rights Commission chairman Justice Antony Dominic has asked the electricity board chief engineer to look into the matter and submit a report within four weeks.

As per the order, people applying for the benefit should produce a certificate from a government doctor certifying that the device used by the patient is essential for survival. It also states that an affidavit must be submitted on a Rs 200 stamp paper. The minister said that he would check if the direction seeking an affidavit on stamp paper can be avoided.