KSEB cuts power to oxygen-dependent patient in Kottayam, locals rush to restore supply

Thalayolaparambu: A critically ill man who depends on an oxygen cylinder to breathe was left gasping on Thursday after the KSEB disconnected power to his home in Pazhambetty, Thalayolaparambu. The supply, however, was restored a few hours later after neighbours rushed in to help.

The incident took place at the residence of A K Rameshan (52) of Arupathil Veettil in Pazhambetty near Vadayar. With the patient struggling to breathe after the disconnection, local residents rushed to intervene, leading to the power supply being restored within a few hours. The family settled the pending amount on Friday morning.

KSEB officials from Thalayolaparambu arrived around 11 AM on Thursday and disconnected the supply following he non-payment of power bill for the month of September.

Rameshan, a construction worker, has been suffering from severe breathing difficulties since July 2018. He underwent long-term treatment at Vaikom Taluk Hospital and Kottayam Medical College Hospital. During a detailed examination at the medical college in June 2021, he was diagnosed with a disease that causes progressive decline in lung function. Doctors advised continuous oxygen support.

Since he requires oxygen every three hours, Rameshan has become unable to work. His condition later worsened, and he had to be put on a ventilator at both Vaikom Taluk Hospital and Kottayam Medical College Hospital. He now needs around ₹3,000 every month for medicines and injections.

Amidst this already mounting burden, a power bill of ₹6,027 arrived. The family’s only income is the modest wages earned by Rameshan’s wife, Shyla, who works at a lobster processing unit in Ezhupunna. All household expenses, including their daughter’s travel to the Government UP School in Ezhumanthuruthu, are met from this meagre income.

Responding to the disconnection, KSEB authorities stated that the family consumed 691 units of electricity in September and October. “After deducting ₹4,118 from the total bill of ₹6,838 under the Life Protection Scheme and granting a one-month extension to pay the balance, the amount still remained unpaid. Hence, the supply had to be disconnected. Considering the family’s situation, we reconnected the power by 4 PM without insisting on immediate payment,” said T A Arun, Assistant Engineer, KSEB Thalayolaparambu.