‘Mechanics fleece phone users’

begusarai: telephone subscribers falling under the begusarai telephone exchange of khagaria telecom district are a harried lot following frequent faults in their telephones and the mechanics allegedly seeking money to set the faults right. some telephone subscribers even allege that the mechanics knowingly disconnect their phones to make money. "i ran from pillar to post to get my dead telephone restored, but in vain," said amarnath singh, a teacher and resident of lohia nagar mohalla of the town.“i have compromised with the mechanic of my mohalla", said a retired teacher of local g d college and resident of pokhariya mohalla of the town, c r singh. according to unofficial sources, more than 2,000 phones of begusarai exchange are presently out of order. when contacted, begusarai telecom sdo vinod kumar took the plea of shortage of mechanics in the department for unattended complaints. he evaded any further question with regard to the alleged corruption in his office on the plea that only telecom district manager (tdm)is entitled to answer the queries of mediapersons. while tdm, khagaria, could not be contacted, his pa and also public relation officer n k d kund replied that no consumer has lodged any written complaint with regard to corruption in begusarai telecom office. however, one shaligram singh said despite his written allegation, no action has been taken and his phone is out of order.