 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 10: People of Jammu are up in arms against Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL) for failing to provide electricity to them in summer season. Many areas in Jammu city were without electricity on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. People are spending sleepless nights in this sweltering heat.
Early Times spoke to a cross section of people from different areas on Thursday to know about their plight in absence of electricity.
A young man, Aranshu of Jewel Chowk said, “I stay in the heart of Jammu city. Electricity comes for one hour and then remains off for four hours. Electric appliances don’t work at low voltage. Either there is no electricity, and when it comes there is less voltage.”
Naman of Utsad mohalla said: “Electricity went at 10pm and was restored at 8 am in the morning. When we called up the lineman he said that the transformer has burnt and nothing can be done so you have to remain without electricity.”
He said, “We pay huge amounts as electricity bills but whenever we call a lineman to repair any fault, he asks us to pay money and if we refuse we are told to approach the office.”
Naman said, “The Lieutenant Governor had directed the JPDCL to repair the burnt transformers within 8-hours but his order has not been implemented on the ground. Issuing orders only is no solution.”
Bhagwan Singh Bhagwati Nagar said, “We are facing losses from every side. Corona has hit us hard so have these pesky power cuts. The employees of JPDCL are least bothered City areas remain without electricity forcing people to sleep on roads
He said, “The government has zero knowledge about the ground. Common man is suffering and rulers have turned a blind eye towards our plight. There is no electricity schedule at all. Electricity is provided to small unit holders at will we pay bills regularly but do not set power accordingly.”
Krishan Singh of Krishna Nagar said, “Our area has been reeling under darkness for the past two days. Lineman is telling us that the transformer has burnt and he is helpless.”
A youth, working as bus conductor, of Jammu Camp said, “We are unable to sleep despite working so hard as we rarely see electricity. Yesterday night there was no electricity in our area. Rich are enjoying all privileges while the poor are suffering. We have no air conditioners in our homes, the fans which we have are also not working. It seems no one wants to help a poor man.”
Harinder, an ice-cream vendor said, “I sell ice creams from morning to night but when I reach my room I am unable to even cook in the dark. Instead of sleeping inside my room I try to sleep on the road. This government has left the poor on the mercy of God and He only can help us. No one wants to listen to us and address our grievances. ”
Swarna Devi of Cusatnd said: “Government should provide uninterrupted power supply to people because we pay our bills without any delay.”
Tripta Devi of the same area said, “Electricity plays hide and seek. We pay bills so we want regular electricity supply.” | 