Demanding 12 hours' uninterrupted power supply for tube wells, decrease in fee for new connections and reduction in domestic power tariff, members of the Bharti Kissan Union (Ekta) staged a dharna in front of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) office here on Monday.
The members also raised slogans against the corporation.
Union president Boota Singh Burjgill said the power corporation was not ready to consider their demands. "The corporation, though launched the Voluntary Disclosure Scheme to enhance the power load, it started charging `3,000 in addition to per kilowatt load, which is `1,200 more than the previous scheme,"he claimed.
He also demanded withdrawal of charges on the installation of new connections and free connections to poor farmers, cultivating 2.5-5 acre.
"We had a meeting with PSPCL chairman and members, where the corporation backtracked from already conceded demands. We have decided to intensify the stir and hundreds of farmers are joining us,"he added.
The union members alleged that the corporation was not even ready to provide 12 hours' uninterrupted power supply to the agriculture sector.
The leaders urged the Punjab government to intervene into the matter to sort out the issue. Union general sectary Jagmohan Singh said we would go ahead with our protest if our demands were not considered by the PSPCL officials.
{{/usCountry}}The leaders urged the Punjab government to intervene into the matter to sort out the issue. Union general sectary Jagmohan Singh said we would go ahead with our protest if our demands were not considered by the PSPCL officials.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the farmers from other districts also joined the dharna. They are having all arrangements for the kitchen to continue with the dharna for long.