The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mudragada launches fast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mudragada launches fast

By Our Special Correspondent

RAJAHMUNDRY, NOV. 19. The former Telugu Desam MP, Mudragada Padmanabham, launched an indefinite fast at his house in Kirlampudi on Friday in protest against disconnection of power to his three industrial units.

His wife, Padmavathi, and son, Veeraraghava Rao, joined him in the fast. Mr. Padmanabham, who claimed that his units had been excessively billed by the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL), said he would not call off his fast till the `mistakes' in the bills were rectified.

According to the EPDCL, two rice mills and cold storage units of Mr. Padmanabham had pending electricity bills for Rs.25,27,901.

Transco firm

A senior Transco official here said: "We have served the bills on him. It is not within our powers to make any changes now. Any such decision has to be taken by the Government.''

Our Correspondent from Kakinada writes: The special team of Transco, which perused the bills, stuck to its stand on the veracity of the payment. At a hurriedly convened press conference in the DE's office here this evening, A. Kodandaramaiah, Director, EPDCL, V. Swaminathan, CGM (Operations), N. Kaantheswerarao, CGM (Expenditure), K. Gopalakrishna, SE, and Srimannarayana, DE, said they were not at fault in disconnecting power as payment of the bills had been pending for long.

Pointing out that clarifications sought by Mr. Padmanabham were given to him, they said it was made clear to the leader that he had to pay the dues and that there would be no exception. Expressing helplessness on the matter, they wanted the former MP to call off his fast.

Meanwhile, a group of leaders from Kirlampudi, led by Lakshmipathy, a follower of the leader, met the Transco team and urged it to restore power connection to the mills.

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