STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: To discuss electricity related issues including cutting of connections in various households and exorbitant electricity bills, a deputation led by former MLA Jammu East and senior Congress leader Yogesh Sawhney visited the office of Technical Officer PDD and apprised him of situation, demanding a respite for the people who had been served exorbitantly high bills and whose electricity connections had been cut in scorching heat, thereby causing a lot of miseries and inconvenience to them. As, both Chief Engineer and MD were not present in their offices, the Technical Officer assured the delegation that there will be a meeting between public representatives and MD for resolving the issues. Councilor Ward-7 Ritu Choudhary and President Daru Gali Mohalla Ward-15 Market President, Raj Kumar Sodi, Dr Ramakant Khajuria, Atul Sharma, Chandershekhar Sharma, Rakesh Sharma besides a number of locals were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Sawhney stated that power has been cut-off in many households in several areas of old city including Daru Gali Mohalla and Bawe Wali Gali etc. He explained that majority people in these areas are poor and cannot pay such high bills immediately. “It is extremely disappointing that department has cut their electricity connections and denied essential services to these poor people, just for collection of revenue. Some sort of a solution needs to be worked out by department, feasible for people and suitable to their pockets. Simply taking away their electricity connections in not a solution as it will only trouble people,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Ritu Choudhary highlighted plight of residents of her ward and said that all men, women and children got terribly affected due to power cuts. “These days temperature is rising and it is extremely difficult for families to manage without electricity. PDD should immediately restore electricity and find a better solution than to completely cut off electricity connections,” she added.