Sangareddy: Farmers in several parts of Medak district have resorted to dharna and rasta roko protesting against the alleged harassment by Transco's Vigilance officials.

Dasari Ramaiah (65), a sugarcane farmer, allegedly died of heart attack following disconnection of power to his house and the whole village in Pedamasanpalli of the Dommata Assembly segment on Tuesday. In Nadigama of Ramyampet women beat up an SI for allegedly pushing one of the protestors. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protestors. In Medak town farmers organized a dharna in front of the RDO office. The farmers were demanding 12-hour uninterrupted power supply and abolition of surcharge. The farmers set up a community kitchen on the road itself. On Tuesday TRS leaders Harish Rao, Padma Devender Reddy and Ramalinga Reddy joined the farmers in the protest.

Ex gratia sought

Echoing the sentiments of farmers TRS legislators demanded a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the kin of the farmer at the DDRC meting chaired by School Education Minister N.Rajya Lakshmi. The TRS legislators said that the vigilance officials had been targeting SC colonies despite the assurances given by the district Collector that the whole village would not be punished for a few defaulters. Mr. Harish Rao said SC colonies in Boorgupalli, Appannapalli, Chikode, Dumpalpalli and many more villages were in darkness owing to blanket power cut. TRS legislators alleged that in many villages farm power connections had been cut for pending bills in the domestic sector.

Minister's assurance

Ms. Rajya Lakshmi, who had tough time in convincing TRS legislators, assured them that the State Government would respond on the ex gratia issue after going through the reports on the incident. She said the Government had taken a decision to supply only seven-hour power to the farm sector and specific cases for additional power should be addressed to district Collector B.Venkatesam. Medak Transco SE Narsimhulu also said seven-hour of power would be supplied free of cost to rabi crop provided the farmers installed the prescribed capacitors.

Minister for Minority affairs Mohammad Fariduddin, the district Collector, Joint Collector Vani Mohan, DCC president and Narayankhed legislator Suresh Shetkar attended the meeting.

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