ET Plus Report
JAMMU, Mar 13: To complete its accounts at the end of financial year, the Power Development Department Jammu has fined consumers with huge sum without sending prior notices to them.
The electricity bills for the month of February have come as a shock for consumers all around the city as PDD has added fine in thousands for no faults.
The PDD has targeted those areas where electric transformers were damaged during winters and taking a cue from it the department has sent inflated bills. Some have got bills for the month of February over Rs 20000.
The department has put reasons beyond increased bills that meters were bypassed, service lines were punctured and other reasons without having the proof.
When few of the consumers went to the PDD office, they were not heard and were asked to pay the bill. Even the authorities showed arrogance and said that a minimum charge have been applied in bills for getting by pass electricity.
Sources in the PDD told Early Time Plus that the department has almost no funds available and has to do cabling throughout the city. "Due to this higher authorities have asked them to get funds from anywhere and that is why consumers have been fined for even small faults," sources said.
"As the financial year is on closing, consumers have to clear their electricity bills otherwise their salaries for the month of March will not be drawn. Taking this advantage, PDD sent increased bills to consumers without any prior notices," sources added.
It is the fact that PDD has high percentage of T&D losses which is leading to the loss in revenue of the department. But without addressing the real issue, the Government is putting all expenses on consumers and themselves are shelving from their responsibilities.
In real sense, the lower grade employees of PDD are responsible for theft of electricity and they in connivance with consumers go for illegal connections, which is hurting the department. But without taking any action against them, PDD officials are putting whole onus on consumers.
When tried to consult Minister for Power Waqar Rasool Wani, he didn't pick the phone and was not available for comments. |
