Powercom headquarters has adopted a strict stance regarding the inspection of electricity connections and power infrastructure in 99 illegal colonies falling under the jurisdiction of PUDA and the Jalandhar Development Authority. As the inquiry committee—constituted about three months ago—has yet to submit its report, the Chief Engineer has issued a fresh ultimatum to the committee head, Engineer Rajesh Kumar, directing him to submit the findings by July 10 without fail.
**Instructions to Include Technical Details in the Report**
It is noteworthy that following a complaint by RTI activist Karanpreet, Powercom had formed a three-member committee to investigate the electricity connections issued, the power infrastructure, and compliance with regulations in these 99 illegal colonies. Although the committee was instructed to submit its report within a week, three months have passed without the report reaching headquarters. Sources indicate that headquarters has issued a follow-up letter, viewing the unusual delay with seriousness. The letter from the Chief Engineer explicitly mandates the submission of the inquiry report by July 10. Additionally, instructions have been issued to include—alongside the report—available approval documents for each colony, records of electricity connections, sketches of the developed power networks, and other technical details.
**…Questions Raised About the Inquiry Committee’s Functioning**
Headquarters reportedly seeks to clarify the basis on which electricity connections were issued in these colonies, whether necessary approvals for power infrastructure construction were obtained, and the extent to which Powercom’s regulations were followed. It is worth noting that numerous complaints regarding these 99 colonies have previously been lodged with various departments. In 2022, the then Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrator of PUDA had even recommended the registration of FIRs against the concerned developers. Subsequently, Powercom initiated a separate inquiry following questions raised regarding electricity connections. All eyes are now fixed on the July 10 deadline. If the report does not reach headquarters by the stipulated time, the functioning of the inquiry committee could face even greater scrutiny. Furthermore, once the report is received, it will become clear whether action will be limited to the concerned colonizers or if accountability will also be fixed for the officials involved in the process at that time. Illegal colonies are located in these areas:
Moga Colony Bhogpur, Village Nangal Khurd, Mand Enclave, Hussain Avenue Chomo, NRI Colony, Avon Enclave Village Ladoa, Veena Enclave Arjanwal, Guru Hargobind Nagar Jandusingha, Guru Amardas Enclave Village Ladoi, West Wood Farm-2 Wadala, Randhawa Masanda, JP Enclave Bulandpur, Anand Enclave Ladoa, Shakti Nagar Chougawan, Sagar Vihar Chougawan, Padam Enclave Sadachak, Green Valley Puranpur, Hazara Colony Chohkan, Raja Garden Ramuwal, Village Liddar, Village Nahar, Village Babalke, Khaira Enclave Khaira Majha, New Kaida Enclave Kadiawali, Model Town Colony Jauhal, Dhogri Industrial Park, Guru Nanak Enclave Nussi, Chattowali Colony Adampur, Green City Park-2 Adampur, Jauhal Colony, Kangniwal Industrial Complex, Sanjay Vihar Dhaliwal, Surjit Udyog Nagar Raipur, Kishangarh Colony, St. Soldier Colony Bhogpur, Sant Nagar Nakodar, Model Town Uggi Nakodar, Ekta Vihar Bambiawal, Green Woods Wadala, Vikaspuri Village Ladoi Bhogpur, Babalke Colony Nakodar, Jalandhar Liddar Colony, Gurunagar Durgwal, New Udyog Nagar Nangal Salempur, Wadala Cross Road Colony, Greenwood Estate Village Ball, Jalandhar Harman Enclave, Shiv Sagar Vihar, Amar Enclave Bhojowal, Fatehpur Estate Jalandhar, Variana Enclave Jalandhar, Adampur Enclave Kadian, Green Fields Bhogpur, NRI. Enclave Patara, Randhawa Enclave Gadaipur, Guru Nagar Colony (Bhatthe village), Bulandpur village, Boparai Kalan village, Kishangarh village (opposite Police Station), Pachranga Bhogpur, Samastpur Kartarpur, Puranpur village Jalandhar, New Green City and Green City Pholdiwal, SLT Valley Pholdiwal, New Kaida village Kadiawali, Guru Nagar village Kukkad, Jamsher Colony.
