GPL’s Loss Reduction Manager asked to resign

Nov 07, 2013 News

– several city businesses found stealing

A senior management official of the state-owned power company was asked to resign yesterday. He was given an option by his Board of Directors.

Resigned: Kumar Sharma

Divisional Director of Loss Reduction, Kumar Sharma, was told by a board member that he either resign or have his contract terminated, officials of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. confirmed yesterday.
Sharma was in charge of the department that tracks electricity thefts for GPL and has been involved in raids overtime to especially large businesses suspected to be involved in these.
GPL insiders yesterday said that they are not buying the story that Sharma was being let go because of non-performance – the official reason given. Rather they link his “forced” resignation to his work in spearheading raids on especially businesses.
Recently, raids were carried out on a popular Sheriff Street sub-sandwich outlet, a Mahaica gas station, a Middle Street shopping plaza and shingle-making woodworking company in Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
The businesses were reportedly all found stealing and according to GPL’s arrangements, were made to sign agreements to repay the millions of dollars that they were being backbilled for.
The Sheriff Street sandwich parlour is closely linked to a disgraced New York-based Guyanese real estate mogul facing possible jail in the US for fraud. The business was reportedly assessed up to $9M.
On Friday, Kaieteur News was told, GPL’s Board members met with Prime Minister Sam Hinds. The issue of Sharma and his role as head of the Loss Reduction unit was said to have been a main item on the agenda.
It was yesterday that the Board of Directors, headed by Chairman, Winston Brassington, was said to have taken a decision to end Sharma’s contract. The task, according to GPL officials, was left to board member, Mahender Sharma, who also happens to be a cousin of the Loss Reduction Manager. The official was reportedly told by his cousin that the Board had taken a decision to end his contract. However, he was given an option to resign.

GPL Board Member, Mahender Sharma

Chairman of GPL, Winston Brassington, said he was in a meeting and not available to comment on the issue.
Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Dindyal, said that he had no knowledge of Sharma’s contract being terminated, but pointed out that a contract worker can be terminated by the board.
Kaieteur News was unable to contact Kumar Sharma.
The issue of electricity theft has been a major one for GPL with almost 15 per cent of the electricity produced believed stolen via bypass wires or meter tampering. This translates to hundreds of millions of dollars annually in losses for GPL.
The power company, however, has admitted that the quantity of electricity stolen by business customers is far in excess of the domestic ones.
GPL has been battling corruption with especially its field technicians who have reportedly been taking monies for turning a blind eye to electricity thefts. Several crews have been sent home, GPL said yesterday.

GPL’s Chairman, Winston Brassington

2 thoughts on “GPL’s Loss Reduction Manager asked to resign”

Ashley Singh November 7, 2013 at 8:32 am

Too many Sharmas at GPL
Sanityrevival November 7, 2013 at 9:37 am

With regard to this problem…i noticed a bill arrived last week for a rather huge sum and has been the talk of the country! On the bill itself states that the figure is estimated, but the Meter is read every month. Something is not right within the Billing department of GPL, residential customers are being robbed to compensate for loss and electricity theft by the business community and friends of the ruling party.