Gas theft: Supply to 900 houses disconnected

SNGPL spokesman said departmental inquiry would be initiated against officials responsible for allowing connections.

FAISALABAD:

Gas supply to 900 houses was disconnected by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on Thursday in an ongoing campaign against gas pilfering.

An FIR was later filed with Jhang Bazaar police against 20 men for obstructing SNGPL officials in discharging their duties during the crackdown in Pathanwala and Khoshiwala areas.

An SNGPL spokesman said gas connections at these houses were obtained without following the due process. He said a departmental inquiry would be initiated against officials responsible for allowing these connections. He said stiff resistance was put up by residents but the SNGPL team continued with the drive and severed the connections.

Ghulam Haidar, a Khoshiwala resident, insisted that he had cleared all dues and followed the process set out by the department to obtain the connection. He said action should be taken against officials responsible for allowing illegal connections instead.

“Pathanwala is located in the centre of the city. It’s not a distant village that the SNGPL remained in the dark about these connections. Why had they not disconnected supply earlier?” Noor Din asked.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2012.