Channi seeks action against SDO, PSPCL says not without inquiry

MUKTSAR: Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is chairman of District Grievance Redressal Committee, Muktsar, today recommended suspension of an SDO and a junior engineer (JE) of the PSPCL over bribery charges, transfer of a doctor posted at civil hospital, Malout, for allegedly referring patients to his father-run hospital in Bathinda.

Charanjit Singh Channi

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 18

Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is chairman of District Grievance Redressal Committee, Muktsar, today recommended suspension of an SDO and a junior engineer (JE) of the PSPCL over bribery charges, transfer of a doctor posted at civil hospital, Malout, for allegedly referring patients to his father-run hospital in Bathinda.

Besides, he asked Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Dr Richa to serve a show-cause notice to the superintending engineer of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department for remaining absent from the meeting.

All four MLAs (two each of the Congress and SAD) Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Parkash Singh Badal and Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi remained absent from the meeting, which was attended by several officials and a large number of residents and representatives of various political parties.

As per the meeting’s agenda, when the residents apprised the minister of their grievances, the latter took swift action. A resident of Rupana village, introduced himself as a Congressman, alleged that an SDO and a JE of the PSPCL were illegally collecting Rs 3,000 from each farmer for installing transformers. “This area has witnessed a large number of transformer thefts, but the officers are demanding Rs 3,000 for installing a new one. I too had to pay money to the officers,” he alleged.

Channi recommended the suspension of both officers. Later talking to The Tribune, Masta Singh, Superintending Engineer, PSPCL, Muktsar, said, “We have not received any recommendation as yet. An executive engineer had gone to the meeting, but he has told me about the allegations levelled against an officer. Even that officer is sincere in his duties. We will mark a probe into the matter.”

Meanwhile, someone lodged a complaint that a doctor posted at the civil hospital, Malout, was referring patients to his private hospital in Bathinda. Taking notice, the minister recommended his transfer.