Police major Powercom defaulter?

Power issue
Rajay Deep
Bathinda

Punjab Police who are suppose to follow rules and regulations turns their eye blind when it comes to the department itself. If one goes by the official record, state police is one of the major defaulters of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (Powercom).

In the western zone of the Powercom that caters to seven districts, namely Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot and Muktsar districts, the outstanding electricity bills of police department runs into lakhs of rupees.

The Powercom officials even after issuing a number of notices to the department still find them helpless in front of Khaki ‘enjoying’ the power of baton. The details of previous fiscal year (2011-12) procured under the RTI Act show the cops in Bathinda and Mansa districts owed a sum of 8.81 lakh to the Powercom by March 2012.

In the detailed list, Superintendent Jail (Mansa) tops the chart of major defaulters in Bathinda circle of Powercom, with an outstanding of Rs 2.72 lakh. Further, DSP Budhlada has an outstanding of Rs 96,000. Meanwhile, SHO Bareta, Budhladha and Boha owe the sum of Rs 80,000, Rs 66,000 and Rs 69,000, respectively. Besides, the bill of Rs 99,000 is shown lying pending towards Police station Bhagta.

The details state the Faridkot police owe a sum of Rs 3.72 lakh to Powercom, which includes the pendency of Rs 1.22 lakh towards Police Lines, Rs 1.81 lakh towards Kotkapura Police station and Rs 99,000 towards the SSP mess.

Interestingly, Police station Lambi that caters the CM’s home constituency also has been declared defaulter for not paying an amount of 98000 as electricity bill. Besides, four check posts in Muktsar district owe a sum of 5.09 lakh to the Powercom.

Further, the Powercom is finding itself unable to get an amount of Rs 10.84 lakh released from Ferozepur Police, lying pending towards its various wings.

Much to concern, office of the district police chief has also been shown as defaulter for owing an amount of Rs 79000 and residence having a pendency of Rs 1.24 lakh The SSP computer lab is yet to pay an amount of Rs 64000.

The major defaulter in Ferozepur is declared the SHO Police station (cantonment) with an amount of Rs 4.68 lakh lying pending towards it.

In Fazilka district, DSP office Abohar is to clear the bills worth Rs 2.29 lakh and SHO Khuian Sarwar owe a sum of 89,000 to the Powercom, as per RTI information.