CHAOS REIGNS: Members involved in a verbal duel at the special meeting of ZP in Nizamabad on Thursday.

NIZAMABAD: The Zilla Parishad special meeting here on Thursday, in a unanimous resolution, urged the Government to provide nine-hour uninterrupted power supply to the farm sector, considering the grim condition of standing crops owing to lack of water.

The members demanded that water from Nizam Sagar Project be supplied even to tail-end areas and power be supplied to the farm sector during daytime. Farmers were falling prey to snake bites and getting electrocuted when power was given during nights, they pointed out and demanded payment of Rs. 2 lakhs ex gratia to the bereaved families of farmers.

Five resolutions

The meeting held with Zilla Parishad chairperson Gadari Anita in the chair passed five resolutions, to be forwarded to the Government. Ms. Anita asked the electricity authorities to supply power only during daytime keeping in view the difficulties in watering crops during nights.

Vice-Chairperson Taher Bin Hamdan said efforts were being made to provide sufficient power to lands under borewells. Power would be ensured even if it meant cutting the supply to domestic sector. He suggested to the authorities to replace the transformers which were damaged due to recent rain and gales.

Giving details, Superintending Engineer (Electricity) Subba Rao said a total of 375 megawatts power was required to feed 1.20 lakh pumpsets everyday. To meet the demand, supply was being given in three shifts from September 4, he said. He also pointed out that during kharif, crops were sown in 1.50 lakh hectares in the district as against 46,600 hectares last year. Following this, power consumption increased, he added.

Nizam Sagar ZPTC member M. Krishna Reddy said farmers were not informed about the decision to supply power in three shifts resulting in some problems. All members suggested to the electricity authorities to avoid power supply during night.

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