The electricity board had threatened to disconnect power supply to streetlights and various water works of the civic body for its failure to pay off dues running into lakhs.

When several reminders had failed to stir the civic body, the local GEB unit had served one final warning and sought advice from its Vadodara-based headquarters. Incidentally, the headquarters did not allow its officers to carry out the threat.

Executive Engineer A I Patel told Express Newsline on Tuesday that the civic body had paid the first installment of Rs 1.75 lakh towards streetlight dues. Of the Rs 22 lakh dues towards water works projects, the civic body has reportedly paid Rs 5 lakh as the first installment.

Patel said in view of the payment, the power supply would not be cut off. As such the head office did not endorse the proposed action. It maybe mentioned that the civic body had disregarded the earlier notices saying it was simply in no position to raise that much money. It claimed its octroi income was dwindling and it won't be able to clear the bill, come what may.