Pump operator booked for bungling of water bills

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 22

Amritsar rural police have booked a person working as a private pump operator for bungling a huge amount which the villagers paid as water bills.

A case was registered against him following a probe conducted by DSP Majitha after a complaint was submitted by Gurpreet Kaur, sarpanch of Sarhala village, falling under Kathunangal police station here.

She alleged that the village Panchayat had deputed Satnam Singh of the same village as a private pump operator at the village after the government water supply began following construction of an overhead water tank in 2014. She said the accused used to collect water bills from the residents. However, he did not deposit the same with the government and bungled the amount.

The incident came to light when they got an outstanding power bill of the pump amounting to Rs 37.22 lakh. A complaint was submitted with the rural police in February 22, this year while a probe was held by DSP Majitha in this connection. Kathunangal police have now registered a case under Section 406 of the IPC against him.

He is yet to be arrested, said the police authorities, while adding that raids were on to nab him. Amanjit Singh, investigating officer said after the registration of case, the accused fled the village. He said raids were on to nab him.

The case

The village panchayat had deputed Satnam Singh of the same village as a private pump operator at the village after the government water supply began following the construction of an overhead water tank in 2014. She said the accused used to collect water bills from residents. However, he did not deposit the same with the government and bungled the amount. The incident came to light when they got an outstanding power bill of the pump amounting to Rs37.22 lakh.