Velloor: After three days in darkness, power was restored at DIET (District Institute of Education and Training) located at Velloor, near Pampady in Kottayam district, on Wednesday evening after the KSEB reconnected the supply it had cut owing to non-payments of bills. The KSEB authorities took action following a report in ‘Malayala Manorama’.

The power was disconnected on Monday due to non-clearance of bills amounting ₹19,000, following which the activities at the centre – which provides training to teachers and conducts other academic programmes - came to a standstill.

On noticing the news on the power crisis at DIET in ‘Malayala Manorama’, the District Collector sought a report from the KSEB. Consequently, KSEB authorities softened their stand and asked the DIET employees to make a payment of at least ₹6,000. However, the staff members – who have not received their salaries for 81 days due to a financial crisis at DIET - replied that they were unable to pay the money.

Later, power was restored by 4.20 pm on Wednesday after a letter was given by DIET to KSEB that the bill will be cleared as and when funds are available.

DIET landed in a financial crisis after an amount of ₹70,000 allotted for daily expenses until March 31 was taken back by the government.   

Incidentally, a training programme for freshly-appointed primary and English teachers was conducted in a nearby building belonging to ASAP (Additional Skill Acquisition Programme) on Wednesday.

In another reprieve for DIET, an order appointing a principal in-charge was received at the institution by 4 pm on Wednesday. As per the order, senior lecturer R Prasad will hold the post. ‘Malayala Manorama’ had also reported on the administrative crisis at DIET due to the absence of a principal and principal in-charge.

Only the principal or the in-charge has powers to utilise the funds allotted by the office of the General Education Director for recurring expenses. DIET could not spend the money allotted for certain training programmes as the faculty member holding the principal’s post had retired from service.

Meanwhile, the DIET staff has now sought measures to solve their existing problem – non-payment of salaries.