JOIN USUsers of Bangalore-Mysore highway had to bear the brunt of the discord between the officials of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company (Cesc) and farmers of Gejjalagere Village in Maddur taluk, on Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, with Cesc initiating the bill collection drive in Gejjalgere and surrounding villages, where the residents had abstained from paying their electricity bills for the last 32 years, tens of farmers came out on the streets opposing the drive. This, despite Cesc trying to conduct the drive using police protection.
Cesc AEE Manjunath G U told Deccan Herald that Mandya Raitha Sangha President Narasaraju called and threatened him. “I was told that if I go ahead with the drive, then I would have to face dire consequences,” he added. The officials were able to collect about Rs 9,000 from three defaulters in Gejjalagere. When they effected power cuts to other households, they were forced out of the village by the residents.
As the drive didn’t yield the desired result, Cesc officials decided to disconnect power connection to three villages — Gejjalagere, Sadolalu, Kuduregundi at 3 pm.
Villagers, who took a while to realise that Cesc had purposely disconnected the power, by evening, came out in large numbers, demanding the immediate suspension of Cesc officials from Maddur division.
Women, children and men, sat on the highway, and blocked it for over an hour in the night, leading to huge traffic pile up on the busy road.
The protesters did not clear the road until Mandya Superintendent of Police Bhushan Bhorase intervened and ensured that the power would be restored.
When contacted, Nasaraju said Cesc official was “lying”.
“It is an absolute lie. I just requested him convene a meeting so that we can resolve the issue. Our demand will not change. Cesc has to waive of the interest and penalty amount. Until then we will not pay arrears. If Cesc effects a disconnection drive, then we will have to take matters into our hands — we know what can be done,” he added.
Cesc Managing Director D Kiran said all efforts would be made to ensure that the villagers paid their dues. “When you are consuming power, you have to pay for it. If villagers are unwilling to do so, then we will initiate the disconnection drive. Also, there is no question of holding discussions” he said.
When asked why Cesc was not targetting government institutions and the industries, which owe the company crores of rupees, Kiran said Cesc had been collecting the arrears from government agencies and industries in phases.
Cesc AEE Manjunath G U, who received a life threat from a Mandya farmer leader Narasaraju, went to lodge a compliant at Maddur police station. But, the ASI refused to receive the complaint.