Srinagar, July 10: Srinagar Senior Citizens Forum has strongly condemned the state government’s proposal to hike the power tariff, terming it an anti-people step.
 “Instead of effecting hike in the power tariff, the Power Development Department should check the power pilferage being done by the self-fish people through illegal connections and hooking in connivance with its engineers and field staff. The pilferage is done in the broad daylight. If this pilferage in checked, it will fetch government more revenue than it will have by the proposed hike in the tariff,” said Forum spokesman in a statement, adding, “The hike will put extra burden on the law abiding consumers alone and those with illegal connections and involved in hooking would continue consuming power without paying money allegedly in connivance with the PDD officials.
 The spokesman demanded a probe into the purchases of transmission lines and other material made by the PDD authorities for the last 20 years. “Everywhere in Srinagar particularly in downtown areas, substandard transmission lines are sagging and producing humming sound while power is on. Every now and then these transmission lines fall part. If the downtown areas are provided round the clock power supply with standard voltage, these worn out and outdated transmission lines would get burnt down and may cause fatal accidents,” he said.  
 “Recently, the government hiked the water fee by more than 100 per cent in one ago, putting extra financial burden the poor. This step also needs to be condemned by one and all. It is in place to mention here that there are no proper water treatment plants in Valley and people are supplied contaminated water. Besides, in all most all the areas of Srinagar, we have network of water pipes laid during the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh. The whole network is rusted and lying about five to seven feet deep due to which there remains acute shortage of water supply in some areas of city throughout the year. In other area, people receive muddy and contaminated water,” said the spokesman.
 He alleged that the government was siphoning off money from the people without giving them anything in return. “Government should first deserve than desire,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST