LIT facing losses for being ‘slack’

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 24

Slack enforcement of rules by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has led to several irregularities in various colonies developed by the trust.

Various resident welfare societies have not only unlawfully put up gates at the entrance points, but have also caused a huge loss of revenue to the trust by displaying advertisement boards and stealing electricity for illuminated boards (glow signs).

A complaint filed with the LIT authorities by Arvind Sharma, Secretary of the Council of RTI Activists, stated that the Welfare Society in E-block of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar here had installed gates on entry points, which was an illegal activity. Huge advertisement boards had been displayed on these gates for which the advertisers had reportedly paid handsome amount to the society.

The complaint further asserted that neither the permission was taken from the LIT authorities for putting up the advertisement sign boards on the gates nor had any fee/tax been paid for the purpose. Moreover, glow signs/illuminated boards had been displayed at entry gates of parks and also inside the parks in the colony, for which electricity was allegedly being stolen through — kundi connections on the street light cables.

Sharma said the facts had been conveyed to LIT officials, who had admitted that no permission had been sought by the society either for installation of gates or for displaying advertisement boards/glow signs. The complainant has demanded an action against the society and steps be taken to put check the theft of electricity.

Trust officials said the field staff had been asked to submit a report on the matter. They said necessary action would be taken against the defaulters in accordance with the law.