Ferozepur, July 26, 2016: Despite the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) making tall claims for allotment of power connections for tube wells, the marginal farmers alleged that they were unable to transplant paddy due to delay in the installation of connections by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited – PSPCL.
Perhaps the first of its kind incident of returning of bribe taken by the employees and it has happened when 450 farmers despite depositing of Rs.450 crore the tube well connections were not made operational in Zira Sub Division of Ferozepur
On protest by the farmers led by Kissan Sangharsh Committee Punjab Pannu Group State President, Satnam Singh Pannu, District President Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Mand and Kulwant Kaur, sat on dharna after gehraoing the Powercom office.
State President Pannu said, Powercom office has become a den of corruption as the farmers have been charged a bribe amount of Rs.3000 to Rs.11000 in the form of Labour Charges through the Contractor installing the poles etc. Not only this, the amount charged was much more than mentioned on the Demand Notices, he added.
He further said, the farmers have arranged this money by selling gold ornaments, borrowing money and even selling the tractors and deposited around Rs.4 crore with the Powercom. The interest on this amount to be paid, comes to Rs.8 lakh per month.
The situation became more ridiculous when after two hours discussions, in the presence of Manjit Singh Matharu, Powercom Executive Engineer and Ravinder Singh, SDO, few farmers were returned the bribe amount by the employees.
Xen Mathuar assured that the amount to the remaining farmers will also be returned in a day or so.