Date:13/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/13/stories/2004111304020400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Mudragada threatens fast-unto-death

By Our Correspondent

KAKINADA, NOV. 12. Mudragada Padmanabham, former Telugu Desam MP, has announced his decision to commence fast-unto-death in his house in Kirlampudi village from November 19 if the AP Transco authorities fail to restore power connection to his business houses, rectifying their mistakes in the electricity bills served on him.In a letter addressed to the Chairman and Managing Director of the A.P.Eastern Power Distribution Company Ltd, Visakhapatnam, with copies marked to the SE, Rajahmundry, and DE Jaggampet and to other AP Transco engineers in the district, and released to newsmen here on Thursday, Mr. Padmanabham said the "adamant and unreasonable stance" of the AP Transco authorities despite his repeated representations and unending correspondence, failed to rectify the mistakes in the power billing system.

In the five-page letter, he explained in detail the Herculean efforts for the past three months, seeking the electricity engineers to set right the mistake crept in sending him a bill for Rs.20 lakhs.