The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Powerful shock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Powerful shock

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 21. A few years ago Manne Venkat Rao of Ungutur in West Godavari district lost his livelihood when power supply was disconnected to his shop located alongside the National Highway near the village. The reason was the widening of NH 5. He was one among the 150 families that were evicted.

A similar plight awaits Sadanala Satyanarayana of Chebrolu and K. Appala Swamy and others. Officials of the Eastern Power Distribution Company (Discom) have disconnected supply to shops and commercial establishments alongside the highway and taken away meters. Most of the families have migrated to other places in search of livelihood. But, in a quirky decision, discom officials have now decided to penalise them for the `arrears.'

Notices served

A month ago these families received notices seeking payment of arrears. Mr. Appala Swamy was asked to pay Rs. 2, 926, Mr. Venkat Rao, Rs.2,390 and Mr. Satyanarayana received a bill for Rs.2, 062. Discom officials traced the new addresses of the consumers and served notices on them to pay for the facility not used by them.

The consumers rushed to their MLA, V. Vasantha Kumar, seeking his intervention who in turn approached the Chief Minister's Office.

The Congress MLAs are also worried over the decision of the discoms to collect arrears, interest and surcharge from SCs and STs although the Government decided some seven years ago to supply power free of cost to their colonies.

Agitated Congress MLAs confronted the Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, at a recent strategy meet during the Assembly session.

The arrears on this count are to the tune of Rs. 200 crores which they are seeking to be waived.

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