M A I N   N E W S

PSEB detects 106 illegal farm connections
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 25
A high-level inquiry has detected 106 illegal agriculture power connections in the Majitha sub-division alone as fake connections given by Punjab State Electricity Board officials came to light.

Officials of the PSEB adopted a novel way to dupe farmers, who thought that the connections were genuine as connection passbooks were also issued to the farmers which were later taken back.

When the ‘fake connections’ were disconnected on the basis of the high-level inquiry, the farmers raised a hue and cry and submitted affidavits to the PSEB that they had deposited the due amount to the junior engineer posted in the sub-division. “This is not a simple case of theft but a big scam and these connections were allowed during the past years after collecting huge amounts from the farmers on the pretext of releasing new agriculture power connections. Out of these 22 connections had been allowed after providing low tension lines. Erection of these illegal lines shows the involvement of the field staff also.

The inquiry officer recommended that the case be handed over either to the Vigilance Bureau, the security branch of the PSEB or some other independent agency. Connivance of senior officials of the PSEB in running ‘fake power connections’ could not be ruled out.

The detection in this sub-division is stated to be just a tip of an iceberg. A state-wide inquiry is likely to detect corruption to the tune of crores of rupees.

In his two-page report, Mr Sudeep Singh Sandhu, senior executive engineer, suburban circle stated that police help was sought to detect the illegal power connections. The officials, posted in the Majitha sub-division, had carried out the unauthorised connections in such a way that it was extremely difficult to detect them.

The report reads “the farmers who thought that the connections were genuine told the inquiry officials that they got the connection after paying an amount ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per connection to PSEB employees”.

It was also detected that the ‘fake connections’ were released during the past six years by a ‘group of officials’.

The inquiry officer pointed out that the ‘fake connections’ were released during the posting of Mr Charnjit Singh, a junior engineer who has now been placed under suspension. Mr S.J. Paul, superintending engineer told TNS that the JE was being charge-sheeted in this connection.

Mr Paul said despite the orders, the JE did not come to the office to give clarification regarding the scam.