Railways colonies: Residents protest against electricity disconnection
Officials accused of embezzling money.
The protesters demanded that the authorities ensure that electricity supply to the residential colonies is resumed. PHOTO: FILE
FAISALABAD:
Families of some 300 Railways employees in Faisalabad staged a demonstration on Monday to protest the disconnection of electricity supply to their houses in the Railways colonies.
The protest was led by Khalid Mehmood Chaudhry, the central deputy chief organiser of the Pakistan Railways Employees Movement. Central President of Railways Workers Union Ashiq Hussain Chaudhry was also present.
The protesters demanded that the authorities ensure that electricity supply to the residential colonies is resumed.
Addressing the demonstration, Khalid Chaudhry said that the railways administration had been regularly deducting money from their salaries for the payment of utility bills. He alleged that some corrupt officials had embezzled the money instead of paying the bills. He demanded that the government initiate an inquiry into the embezzlement.
Ashiq Chaudhry said that the electricity supply to the railway colonies had also been disconnected several times over non-payment of dues. He said the Faisalabad Electricity Supply Company had now declared the Railways in Faisalabad a chronic defaulter. He said the residents had been paying their share of the money, but were made to suffer due to the officials’ negligence.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2013.
Families of some 300 Railways employees in Faisalabad staged a demonstration on Monday to protest the disconnection of electricity supply to their houses in the Railways colonies.
The protest was led by Khalid Mehmood Chaudhry, the central deputy chief organiser of the Pakistan Railways Employees Movement. Central President of Railways Workers Union Ashiq Hussain Chaudhry was also present.
The protesters demanded that the authorities ensure that electricity supply to the residential colonies is resumed.
Addressing the demonstration, Khalid Chaudhry said that the railways administration had been regularly deducting money from their salaries for the payment of utility bills. He alleged that some corrupt officials had embezzled the money instead of paying the bills. He demanded that the government initiate an inquiry into the embezzlement.
Ashiq Chaudhry said that the electricity supply to the railway colonies had also been disconnected several times over non-payment of dues. He said the Faisalabad Electricity Supply Company had now declared the Railways in Faisalabad a chronic defaulter. He said the residents had been paying their share of the money, but were made to suffer due to the officials’ negligence.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2013.