2,500 demand notices for tubewell connections distributed

MLAs and 'halqa in-charges' of the ruling alliance, on Friday, distributed nearly 2,500 demand notices to farmers for tubewell connections in their respective areas in the presence of Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) officials.

Beneficiaries were happy that years after they applied for connections, the department had finally moved but, at the same time, they were skeptical that tubewells may not become a reality.

"Ki pata chonan de bahane oh phir latka den (You never know, the government may again put on hold the scheme on the pretext of election code)", said a farmer in Chabbewal, who did not want to be named for obvious reasons.

"Our requests were being repeatedly turned down by the PSPCL officials citing shortage of equipment. How come that near elections, there is no such impediment," said another applicant.

The applicants have been asked to submit test reports within 3 months of getting the demand notices.

Deputy chief engineer, Hoshiarpur circle, Jagmohan Singh revealed that, barring a few, all applicants under the general category, having land holdings of less than 5 acres, in 5 assembly constituencies falling in the circle, had received the demand notices. Those of Dasuya would get them on Saturday, he informed.

While former BJP minister Tikshan Sud distributed letters in Hoshiarpur, chief parliamentary secretary Sohan Singh Thandal did so in Chabbewal, Mohinder Kaur Josh in Pandori Khajoor village of Sham Churasi, Surinder Singh Bhulewal Rathan in Garhshankar, Arvinder Singh Rasoolpur in Urmur and Arunesh Shakir in Mukerian.

The political leaders, in their speeches, made the recipients feel as if they were not getting their due but, a largesse from the chief minister and the deputy chief minister.