Stolen power from govt offices lights up cracker shops
23 Oct 2014 5:46 AM IST
Despite the Delhi government officially discouraging the use of crackers, its officers are lighting up cracker shops, albeit illegally, in crowded Jama Masjid area. The utility premises of the government, located in this area, have become major source of electricity for dozen of shops selling crackers and other festival items.
The employees at these premises have allowed power connections illegally and are raking in the moolah with support of their senior officials. The local residents claim there is a complicity of concerned officials, local leaders and shop owners which is causing loss of lakh of rupees to the government exchequer. Meanwhile, vendors said there is nothing illegal on their part as they pay handsome amount to officials for lighting up their shops.
A site survey of the area revealed the nexus of shop owners and government officials. While entering from the Dariba Kalan side, it could be seen that nearly two dozen temporary shops between Hathikhana Chowk and Jama Masjid selling crackers and other items have got illegal power connections. As the shops have no source of electricity, they have illegally taken connections from the pumping house of Delhi Jal Board, the local police post, the health centre of the state government and other such premises. These premises are supplying electricity for five to six hours daily which will continue till the festivals get over. Each vendor was seen lighting two to three high capacity bulbs from power sourced from government buildings.
On enquiring about the wrongdoings, a few people sitting inside the pumping house refused to comment. Declaring themselves to be outsiders, they said officials will talk about this. ‘We have no knowledge about this as we have to sit here temporarily. It is better to talk to persons concerned rather than us,’ said a person sitting comfortably inside the pump house.
Meanwhile, the shop owners said they have been allowed to light their shops for a consideration and that there’s nothing wrong in this. ‘We pay money on a daily basis to concerned officials which amounts is almost equal to the electricity charge,’ said an owner while pleading anonymity.
The employees at these premises have allowed power connections illegally and are raking in the moolah with support of their senior officials. The local residents claim there is a complicity of concerned officials, local leaders and shop owners which is causing loss of lakh of rupees to the government exchequer. Meanwhile, vendors said there is nothing illegal on their part as they pay handsome amount to officials for lighting up their shops.
A site survey of the area revealed the nexus of shop owners and government officials. While entering from the Dariba Kalan side, it could be seen that nearly two dozen temporary shops between Hathikhana Chowk and Jama Masjid selling crackers and other items have got illegal power connections. As the shops have no source of electricity, they have illegally taken connections from the pumping house of Delhi Jal Board, the local police post, the health centre of the state government and other such premises. These premises are supplying electricity for five to six hours daily which will continue till the festivals get over. Each vendor was seen lighting two to three high capacity bulbs from power sourced from government buildings.
On enquiring about the wrongdoings, a few people sitting inside the pumping house refused to comment. Declaring themselves to be outsiders, they said officials will talk about this. ‘We have no knowledge about this as we have to sit here temporarily. It is better to talk to persons concerned rather than us,’ said a person sitting comfortably inside the pump house.
Meanwhile, the shop owners said they have been allowed to light their shops for a consideration and that there’s nothing wrong in this. ‘We pay money on a daily basis to concerned officials which amounts is almost equal to the electricity charge,’ said an owner while pleading anonymity.
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