news details |
|
|
| Drive to check power pilferage draws flak from residents of Srinagar | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 5 : People here in the summer capital of the state have expressed resentment over the alleged unwarranted surprise raids by Power Development Department (PDD) to check power theft and tampering in digital power meters.
Pertinently, to stop overloading of power feeders and bringing down power curtailment, Power Development Department (PDD) in most city areas launched a drive against power theft and illegal connections.
A special team of the department Wednesday conducted series of raids at several houses and seized many power appliances including high voltage heaters and boilers.
A PDD team led by Special Magistrate conducted surprise raid at Arabal Shalimar area in the outskirts of the city and arrested one Ghulam Mohammad Sofi for tinkering with digital power meter.
The move sparked off massive protests in the area with a large number of people mostly females took to the roads accusing the authorities of harassment.
The slogan shouting protesters sat on dharna in the middle of the road which led to massive traffic jam for over an hour. Authorities after succumbing before public pressure immediately released the power 'thief'.
"PDD should first haul up its own official who against mere few hundred rupees tampers the digital meters which a common man cannot do.
Secondly those encouraging people to resort to power theft inform higher ups about the mess to gain their appreciation," Lateef Ahmad Sofi, a protester told Early Times."Yes people resort to power theft but only after taking the junior level officials into confidence. Besides paying monthly bills on time we also pay to concerned line mans and inspectors, now I just want to see what type of action will PDD take against the lawbreakers," Sofi added.
Shameema a protesting women alleged that the PDD officials accompanied by concerned linemen are conducting surprise raids leaving people in pickle.
"Yesterday they entered into my house during my husband's absence and misbehaved with me and my children. Why should we tolerate this hooliganism," she said.After the government failed to tackle the situation arising out of the recent snowfall hundreds of people staged protests in many city areas and other places against the failure of the authorities in restoring power supply. Despite repeated attempts Chief Engineer (PDD), Bashir Ahmad Khan could not be contacted for official version. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
