‘Will stir if calls for not met’: Farmer leaders to fulfill Punjab authorities on May 10 over energy cuts

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Unhappy over the latest energy cuts, farmers in Punjab have been protested for final
few days throughout the state.

Now a gathering has been scheduled between the farmer union leaders and Punjab authorities on May 10 to work out a ‘resolution’ and if calls for not met then huge protest on May 17. Before that assembly farmers leaders might be going to Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh on May 4 to get justice for households of ‘martyred’ farmers.

Senior Samyukt Kisan Morcha chief and BKU (Lakhowal)-Punjab basic secretary Punjab Harinder Singh Lakhowal stated that the state authorities has despatched them a letter yesterday that they wish to meet all of the twenty two farmers unions leaders of the SKM on May 10 and the assembly might be held at Chandigarh as will probably be chaired by Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh.

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) CMD Baldev Singh Sran and different officers can even be current. “We will be attending this meeting with them. We have been demanding that uninterrupted power supply for at least eight hours for tube wells and twenty four hours supply for domestic connections as now as the paddy sowing has to start from May 20 and we want uninterrupted power supply. At present we getting two to three hours power supply for our tube wells and eight to ten hours power cuts in villages,” he stated.

He stated that for final 5 years 1000’s energy connections for tube wells are pending because the farmers have given their purposes have paid cash as safety deposit to PSPCL and in addition demand notices have been issued however until date no connections have been given so these connections ought to be realised with quick impact.

“Also the fees charges for increasing load of tube well motors should be reduced from Rs 4,700 per horse power to Rs 1,200 per horse power as earlier it was Rs 1,200 only and then increased, thus farmers will then apply to increase the power load of the motors installed by them,” stated Lakhowal.

He additionally demanded that PSPCL ought to perform common upkeep of energy strains and improve load of transformers to offer uninterrupted energy provide and recruit employees as there may be employees scarcity within the energy company.

“We have been raising these issues with the PSPCL every year but they have been saying that they will talk to the government thus all our issues were always put on the back burner as no decision was taken. This time we told them that the power minister and government officials also be present in the meeting so
that decisions could be taken at the earliest,” stated Lakhowal.

He stated the SKM delegation met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on April 17 after which he had assured the union leaders {that a} bonus can be given on low yield of wheat and energy provide can be ensured. He added that Mann had additionally assured to offer MSP on ‘moongi’, maize and basmati.

“If our demands regarding power supply and MSP are not  fulfilled by the state government then the SKM will stage a massive protest on May 17 at Chandigarh,” he stated. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will depart for Lakhimpur Kheri on May 4 from the state.

“The members of the SKM from other states Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan would also reach Lakhimpur and will meet the families of victim farmers. On May 5, they will hold a meeting with the Lakhimpur Kheri administration and seek justice for the families of the ‘martyred’ farmers,” he stated.