Times of India: Ludhiana: Sunday,
02 August 2020.
Even as
stray cattle cause problems in Punjab, cow cess being collected through
electricity bills is not being deposited with civic bodies. In reply to an RTI
query by a Ludiana based activist, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited
admitted to collecting Rs 20.64 crore as cow cess in electricity dues since
2016-17. Of this, Rs 6.78 crore was deposited with civic bodies, while Rs 13.86
crore was pending.
The
stray cattle menace has become a serious problem for residents of the state. To
find a solution to the menace, the state government had imposed cow cess on
various things and the collected amount was supposed to be spent on welfare of
stray cattle. The state has imposed 2 paise per unit on electricity dues to be
recovered as cow cess and this collection goes to civic bodies for upkeep of
stray cattle.
RTI
activist Rohit Sabharwal had asked PSPCL about total collection as cow cess and
how much amount had been sent to civic bodies. He also asked about how the
collected amount was used. In reply, PSPCL officials said Rs 13.86 crore was
yet to be paid forward. PSPCL refused to share how the funds were used, saying
that its job ended at transferring the money to civic bodies.
Sabharwal
claimed that he had no idea of such a large amount lying pending with PSPCL. He
said every resident of Punjab had paid cow cess, but that amount did not reach
civic bodies for the utilisation. He said if anybody failed to pay electricity
bill, the department snapped their connection, but who would take
responsibility for the amount PSPCL was yet to pay civic bodies.
He added
many accidents had taken place due to stray cattle in the past where drivers
even lost their lives, but the government was yet to show any seriousness.
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