Date:26/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012658740900.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Sarpanches want Transco to stop harassing local bodies

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Sarpanches’ Association has demanded that the State Government instruct the officials of AP Transco to stop ‘harassing’ the local bodies by insisting on payment of dues.

Association honorary president Y. Babu Rajendraprasad lamented that the officials concerned were threatening sarpanches with withdrawal of cheque power and disconnection of power supply to villages for non-payment of dues.

The local bodies could not pay the dues as the funds meant for them had been diverted by the Government . He said sarpanches of more than 21,000 villages would take to agitational path if the Government did not prevail upon the power utility to stop its harassment.

Notices would be served on the AP Transco for payment of amounts due to village panchayats.