MC's electricity department functioning against all odds

The electricity department of the municipal corporation is depending on makeshift arrangements for the past two years. Not only the department is short of staff, it doesn't have sufficient supply of electrical items for maintenance.

The electricity department of the municipal corporation is depending on makeshift arrangements for the past two years. Not only the department is short of staff, it doesn't have sufficient supply of electrical items for maintenance.

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The members of electricity committee of the civic body had apprised the authorities concerned over the issue, but to no avail.

Chairman of committee Arun Sood said that when the members met last week after two years it was noticed that the department was relying on makeshift arrangements. "It is ironical that the three sub-divisional engineers of the department are working without official vehicles. Of the four boom ladders, two are out of order for the past several years and two Swaraj Majda trucks too are not in running condition," he said.

Congress councillor and former mayor Pardeep Chhabra said, "It is very unfortunate that there is staff shortage in the department and officials do not show any interest in work. It is a serious issue that the department does not have repair material like bulbs, tubes, wire and other things. Officials have to beg for these materials before the corporation contractor."

When contacted, executive engineer of electricity department SP Singh admitted that there was shortage of staff. "As far as shortage of electrical items is concerned, we have floated the tenders on Monday only and hopefully there will be no shortage henceforth," he said.