MOHALI: Mohali deputy commissioner-cum-district magistrate (DM) Aashika Jain, under her vested powers, has issued showcause notices to executive engineer, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) and also to the district town planner of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), seeking explanation on the construction of high-rise buildings touching high tension wires, posing a threat to the human life.
The officers have been asked to be present in the DC office in person on April 5 with their replies. The notices have been issued seeking explanation for not initiating proceedings under section 133 of the CrPC against the officers.
“They have been asked to report why unlawful obstruction or nuisance was not removed from public place. An enquiry in this matter has been marked to ADC Sonam Chaudhary, who will probe the matter and submit a report by Friday,” said a source.
Deputy commissioner-cum-district magistrate Aashika Jain said, “We have put PSPCL, PSTCL and Gmada on showcause notice to explain why checks were not made during the construction of four floored residential buildings in very close proximity to high tension wires. It seems that the construction is illegal. Once they file their replies, the responsibility will be fixed.”
Recently, a minor girl was injured after she came in touch with one such wire. “It has been observed that the residential building in which the ill-fated girl child was living with her mother was four-storied. The 8-years old girl was playing on the fourth floor with an iron rod in her hand, which accidently touched the 66 KV high tension wires crossing in very close proximity of the residential building. She suffered massive electric shock, leaving her with 88% burn injuries. The girl is battling for her life at GMCH-32 Chandigarh. Her condition is said to be critical,” said a source.
Human rights panel seeks explanation
Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken suo-moto of the news published in TOI, highlighting the negligence of authorities which led to an accident, in which an 8-years old girl child got electrocuted while coming in contact with overhead high tension wires in Mohali.
Commission chairperson Justice Sant Parkash has asked Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Patiala, to submit his report about the incident before the next date of hearing, May 22, 2024.
The notice reads, ‘The Commission has perused the detailed news-item published in TOI newspaper under the caption ‘8-yr-old touches high tension wire, critical’ indicating that an 8-year-old girl, namely, Samaira suffered 80% burns after coming in contact with high tension wires at Badmajra village in Balongi. It is further mentioned that the child was taken to Civil Hospital, Phase 6 from where she was referred to GMCH-32, Chandigarh and her condition is critical. Let the matter be put up before the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, PSPCL, Patiala, to submit his report before the next date of hearing, May 22, 2024.”
