Gwalior cancels gun licenses over non-payment of power dues

GWALIOR - Administrative authorities in Gwalior devised unique tactics to force locals to cough up their dues.

The authorities in the state’s Gwalior-Chambal region have decided to cancel gun licenses of all those who have huge amounts of electricity dues pending against them.

The authorities adopted the method as a last resort to make the locals pay off their dues, which amounts to one crore thirty lakh rupees.

The authorities sent a list of all the weapon-owners, who were defaulters, to police stations in their respective areas, where the locals had deposited their weapons ahead of civic polls.

“We had prepared a list of all the weapon owners who had heavy dues against them and sent it to the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police (SP). There were around 350 such people who were licensed arms owners, and had to pay dues amounting to one crore thirty lakh rupees. The list has been sent to all dealers and police stations,” said Kaptan Singh, Superintendent Engineer, Madhya Pradesh Central Region Power Distribution Company.

“Weapon-owners will get their arms only after producing the ‘No Objection Certificate’ issued by the power company, in front of the police,” he added.

“This is a good thing. It helps in recovery of dues on time and those who have no dues face no problems,” said Manohar Singh, a resident.

There are around 25,000 active gun licenses in Gwalior. These unique tactics may become a precedent for other states, as well, to force defaulters to pay their dues for various services like water and electricity. (ANI)