Upset over erratic power supply to the agriculture sector even as paddy sowing is on, farmers held a protest on Wednesday outside Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) office at Badhni Kalan, 21km from Moga.
The protesting farmers of Meenian and Badhni Kalan villages of Moga district claimed that no electricity had been supplied to their area for the past three days and also that there was no assurance about restoration of supply from any official.
Congress leader Gursewak Singh Meenian and Badhni Kalan sarpanch Randhir Singh led the protest. Progressive farmers Malkit Singh and Jasvir Singh of Meenian village said they were yet to get eight-hour electricity daily which the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhartiya Janata Party had promised to deliver before assembly elections.
"For the past many months, Badhni Kalan is connected with a 66-kilovolt Ajitwal power grid," said village sarpanch Randhir Singh. "A few days ago, the PSPCL shifted it to 132-kilovolt sub-station at Badhni Kalan, and since then, we have no electricity."
Powercom officials had harassed farmers at the behest of the state government, Congress leader Gursewak Singh alleged during the protest. "Farmers get electricity for only 4 to 5 hours a day," he added. "Because the voltage is always less than 440 volts, submersible motors are unable to lift sufficient water."
{{/usCountry}}Powercom officials had harassed farmers at the behest of the state government, Congress leader Gursewak Singh alleged during the protest. "Farmers get electricity for only 4 to 5 hours a day," he added. "Because the voltage is always less than 440 volts, submersible motors are unable to lift sufficient water."
{{/usCountry}}Power has tripped only where the sub-stations are overloaded, PSPCL subdivisional officer (SDO) Bakshish Singh said. "A fault in the supply line has made the villages suffer for some time. We had warned of it at the start of the paddy-sowing season," he claimed.