Lucknow, Nov. 3 -- A debate has erupted among power consumers after the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) announced it will no longer repair transformers installed inside commercial complexes and markets. Residents and traders are questioning whose responsibility it really is. LESA officials said any transformer located within a private or commercial complex is considered private property. Its repair and maintenance are, therefore, the responsibility of the builder or the Resident Welfare Association (RWA). Where no RWA exists, shop owners must collect funds to repair or replace the transformer. Residents, however, disagree. Many paid for these transformers years ago because LESA lacked funds at the time. "We paid for these transformers only because LESA couldn't provide them. Now they're refusing to repair them. How can they escape their duty?" said a member of an RWA in Indiranagar. The issue highlights a grey area between ownership and responsibility. While LESA insists private transformers are outside its jurisdiction, residents argue all power infrastructure serves the public and should be maintained by the utility. Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, LESA's parent body, has instructed chief engineers that no public funds should be used for privately installed transformers. LESA says there are around 1,500 such transformers in areas including Gomtinagar, Indiranagar, Alambagh, Rajajipuram and Rahimnagar. LESA has promised temporary trolley transformers to restore electricity during breakdowns until owners fix their units. Recent cases show the impact of this policy. At Krishna Bazaar Complex in Bhoothnath Market, traders pooled money to repair a damaged transformer after LESA refused responsibility. Aa transformer failure at Uday Tower in Viraj Khand left shops without power for over 30 hours before owners funded repairs. htc...