JIRIBAM, January 12: Several locals of Jirbam Hilghat areas have alleged that Jiribam Electricity department SO II, W Yaima had today collected money without issuing TR5 (receipt) from consumers with the promise of changing customer name and to forfeit their unpaid bills during the ongoing drive against illegal connection and overdue bills.
The department had been conducting such drives in the sub-division under the supervision of the division’s executing engineer, M Dorendra Sharma.
The locals have also expressed displeasure over the department disconnection unauthorised power lines, even after the said SO had collected money from them.
A team of the department led by its EE had conducted a drive at Hilghat today, during which, the said SO W Yaima Singh had collected money without issuing receipt from M.Rudra Devi – Consumer No HG-11; Ph Ibungobi Sharma, Consumer No HG-8; M.Lal singh- Consumer No. HG-6; H.Dhana Singh Consumer No HG-10; S.Jando Devi Consumer No.HG-12; Kh.Gopal Singh Consumer No HG 40 and M Binoy Singh Consumer No 103 with the assurance to forfeit unpaid bills, change names and provide new connection.
The customers also complained that they had believed the man as he was an employee of the department and since they were not so educated.
They further lamented that they came to know that they had been duped only during today’s drive.
What is more interesting is that certain individuals who are staying in rent were found registered as consumers. Such individuals on rent are S Molindro Singh, and he had previously held consumer No HK 70 at Hilghat Khunou and later after coming to Hilghat where he was staying in a rent had held consumer no HG 100.
When the EE was asked on this matter, the EE had replied that he has no knowledge and that he will inform the higher authorities through a letter.
He also informed that a person who is staying in a rented room cannot be a registered consumer except when he has an agreement (lease) with his land lord for a two year lease.