Powercom snaps over 200 illegal connections

Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, October 19

The facility of 24-hour power supply from urban feeders being availed by over 200 farmers of Patti area has been withdrawn by the Punjab State Power Corporation (Powercom) resulting in a tense situation in Patti. Farmers said they were given the facility by the state government under a scheme to give boost to horticulture sector.

A total of 980 acres are under horticulture in Patti area. The Powercom has detected more than 200 such connections running illegally under the scheme. Senior Executive Officer (XEN) Sukhwinder Singh said the step had been taken on the instructions of Chief Managing Director Baldev Singh Sra, as all other farmers of the state were getting eight hours power supply under the state government’s policy.

At the same time, officials of the Powercom detected more than 200 tubewell getting the facility illegally for years. Er Sukhwinder Singh said in 2004, the govt had allowed urban power supply to 78 farmers. The number had increase to 279, which meant a total of 201 tubewell connections were getting the facility illegally. Patti MLA Harminder Singh Gill met the XEN Sukhwinder Singh and demanded amicable solution of the issue.