Date:27/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/27/stories/2006122718330300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Others

Ryots protest against erratic power supply

Staff Reporter

TRS cadre observe `bandh' in Mustabad and Gambhiraopeta

TRS men forcibly down shutters, participate in `rasta rokos'

TDP launches relay fast at a Transco sub-station

STRONG PROTEST: CPI (M) activists trying to enter the premises of a power substation demanding a 9-hour power supply in Nalgonda on Tuesday. — PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Sangareddy: Farmers continued their protests against erratic power supply for the second consecutive day in different parts of the district.

In Potharajpalli of Toopran mandal, BJP activists laid siege to the sub station demanding nine-hour power supply.

They then squatted on the National Highway - 7 resulting in traffic disruption.

In Siddipet, farmers organised a dharna in front of the Transco DE's office and demanded uninterrupted power supply.

On the other hand, Sangareddy legislator T. Jayaprakash Reddy convened a meeting of ryots and Transco officials to ease the tension arising out of nighttime power supply. Speaking at the meeting, the MLA urged the Transco Superintending Engineer to ensure continuous power supply so that the water would flow rather than sink into the dry land leaving nothing for the root zone.

However, C. Ashok Reddy, SE, was categorical in saying that nighttime power supply would continue, as it was the State policy.

The legislator then argued that even the two-shift system should have continuous power supply.

The Transco officers agreed to the suggestion and assured the MLA that farmers would not be put to trouble anymore.

Large number of farmers from Sangareddy, Kondapur and Kandi areas attended the meeting.

Congressmen protest

Karimnagar staff reporter writes: Irked over erratic power supply to farm sector, Congress leaders went on rampage in Mustabad mandal headquarters and ransacked the office of Cooperative Electricity Supply Society (CESS), Sircilla, and set fire to office furniture .

They also detained the electricity officials. On the other hand, TRS student wing leaders have observed `bandh' in Mustabad and Gambhiraopeta mandals.

They forcibly downed the shutters in the mandals and participated in `rasta rokos'. In Raikal mandal headquarters, TDP leaders launched a relay hunger strike in front of the Transco sub-station.

NPDCL clarifies

In the meantime, the Northern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited has said that there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of power in the district.

In a press note here, the company said that the demand had reached 385.26 MWs of power but the supply was only 280 MWs and they were maintaining load relief of 50 to 60 MWs.