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| November 29, 2005 | Tuesday | Shawwal 26, 1426 |
Poor PTCL service in Vehari
VEHARI, Nov 28: A large number of telephones are either out of order or not working properly in the district due to the alleged negligence of the PTCL officials and its technical staff. Many of the affected subscribers have alleged that the PTCL officials, including SDOs and supervisors, had been turning a deaf ear to the complaining subscribers or remained absent from their offices.
They also alleged that the PTCL staff supposed to be registering complaints at 17 and 18 kept the numbers busy to avoid calls and only five per cent of the complaints could get registered.
According to sources, most of the total 36 phone exchanges in the district, especially those in the rural areas, are not working properly. Over 50 per cent small exchanges, including those at Ratta Tibba, Thingi Colony, Chakrala, Garah More, Pipli Adda and Machiwal, were working without operators. The subscribers in these area have repeatedly lodged complaints with the authorities concerned but in vain.
The sources said the underground telephone cable and the switches in exchanges had either become out of date or got damaged, resulting in faulty service. However, the PTCL staff diligently serves the influential subscribers at the cost of the common man.
The sources said that 10 SDOs, 30 supervisors and about 60 operators working in the district had not been transferred for the last seven to eight years in violation of service rules. As most of these officials have developed connections with political figures and influential people in the district to ensure their postings, they have become negligent of their respective duties, the sources added.
It has also been learnt that over two million rupees annual maintenance fund has not been used properly for the purpose which resulted in faulty service for the subscribers.
Some subscribers alleged that whenever the linemen were approached for repairs they demanded illegal gratifications. They said about 6,000 applications for new connections were pending in the district due to various reasons.
Meanwhile, Divisional Engineer Nawaz Joya, denying all allegations against the PTCL officials, claimed that in a majority of areas there was no capacity for new connections. However, he said a few connections had been provided on the recommendation of federal minister Awais Leghari.
The affected subscribers have demanded that the PTCL chairman should look into the affairs of the company in the district to provide relief to thousands of people.
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