CHENNAI: Residents across the city allege that they have been paying bribes to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board workmen for carrying out repair work in public space. “Last month a few residents contacted the TNEB helpline to repair damaged wires on the street, they demanded Rs 4,500 saying Rs 1,000 was for material and Rs 3,500 for service charges.
“However when EB officials were contacted, they said the public need not pay for the wires on the road,” said Senthil Kumar a resident of Ayyappanthangal. In another incident when one of the residents complained about the damaged transformer in their area, he had to pay Rs 350 for material. “Transformers supply power to all the houses. Why should residents pay the damage costs? It is the government’s responsibility,” he added.
