The All India NR Congress party MLA and government Whip, G. Nehru, on Saturday visited the office of the Superintending Engineer (SE), Electricity Department, and complained of frequent power cuts in several areas of Puducherry.
Last week, he led a dharna in front of the District Collector’s office to protest against the alleged redtapism in distribution of pattas to landless labourers and on a previous occasion he had a showdown with the Managing Director of the Puducherry Road Transport Corporation, notwithstanding the presence of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.
On Saturday, he walked into the office of the SE with a petition seeking a solution to frequent power outages. People were put to hardships owing to frequent power cuts in several parts of Puducherry, especially in his constituency- Orleanpet.
“Under the cover of these power cuts, several thefts and other anti-social incidents have been occurring,” Mr. Nehru said.
It had become a standard practice of the electricity department to snap the supply for several hours in the day and at night citing maintenance work. He said children and elders were not able to sleep in nights and women in the households were unable to do any cooking using electrical appliances.
“Aggrieved citizens are complaining to their MLAs every day and demanding a solution. As a result, we have been staying up until midnight, contacting officers in our jurisdiction,” Mr. Nehru said. In fact, MLAs were facing public ire for repeating the stock replies of the electricity officials.
In his representation to the SE, Mr. Nehru asked him to find a lasting solution to the issue.
