Punjab has become the first state to start a 24-hour toll-free line to register complaints regarding the supply of potable water to the rural areas of the state.

Stating this here today an official spokesman said on the directions of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, a 24- hour complaint redress centre had been set up in Mohali to deal with complaints of poor and erratic water supply besides monitoring the redress of complaints.

The centre had been linked to a toll-free line for the convenience of poor persons who could dial from any PCO without paying a single penny. He said any consumer could register his complaint on toll-free phone number 1800-180-2468 regarding any problem regarding the supply of potable water in the rural areas. Complaints could be registered in Punjabi, Hindi or English.