Date:28/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/28/stories/2006122814090300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Lantern protest against poor power supply

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: The district unit of the Telugu Desam Party on Wednesday staged a novel protest against erratic power supply in the State. They took out a procession holding lanterns, candles and torches of fire and went around Tower Clock Circle.

Led by party leaders V. Hanumantharaya Chowdary, Sariputi Suryanarayana, K.M. Saifullah, Palle Raghunatha Reddy and others party activists asked the people to bring traditional lights like lanterns, candles and torches into use as the State Government was not in a position to supply power continuously. Power cut was being imposed on domestic users for four to six hours a day in the district.

Failed to keep word

TDP leaders alleged that the Congress Government had failed to keep its word of even supplying seven hours of uninterrupted power to farmers.

The farm sector was being given power for only three to four hours in spells, they alleged. As a result, standing crops under borewells and open wells were facing withering. The power supply position in the State was pathetic in spite of all major reservoirs having sufficient water.