Bandipora, Jan 18: Mechanical Irrigation Department Shadipora Division here in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district was shocked when the Power Development Department (PDD) sent them over Rs 34.50 crore, electricity bill for the month of October, 2020.

The total bill dispatched by PDD to ‘Baba Jangi Flood and Irrigation Pump Station’, located in Shilvat Sumbal is Rs 34 Crore, 63 lakh, 42 thousand 184.

When contacted, Executive Engineer PDD Sumbal, Ghulam Qadir confirmed to KNT saying Baba Jangi Flood and Irrigation Pump Station Shadipora is not an ordinary consumer but this station is owned by the government.

“It may be a technical error or may be the said pump station has failed to clear the balance and in lump sum the bill may have been dispatched. Whatever, we will ascertain the facts,” he said.

One of the officials from PDD on condition of anonymity said that majority of the government departments are defaulters and Mechanical Irrigation Department is one among them.

Executive Engineer Mechanical Irrigation Department Shadipora Division Tasaduq Ahmed told Kashmir News Trust that he is himself shocked.

“Normally we get Rs 2 to 3 crore bill annually for whole Division. “We don’t owe such a hefty amount to PDD. How come it is possible that such a huge bill has been generated against a single water pump,” he questioned adding that he is in touch with PDD over the matter. (KNT)