Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Consumers asked not to pay bills

HYDERABAD: Frequent power cuts at the most inopportune time during the ongoing Ramzan and Ganesha festivities in old city is drawing sharp reactions from the local leaders. On Saturday, several leaders from old city called upon the public to stop paying electricity bills, till authorities come clean on the matter of irrational way of power cuts in old city.

Majlis Bachao Tahereek (MBT), Left parties and Loksatta Party, who participated in an all party meeting on Saturday, have decided to take up picketing and confront Hyderabad in-charge Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir on power cuts. The meeting condemned local electricity department officials for being incommunicado; whenever power is shut down.

“Ground reality is far removed from what authorities claim. There’s no power in several parts of old city for nearly six hours per day and one can imagine the plight of Namazis. Power cuts have become a dampener to the festivities,” said CPI MP Aziz Pasha.

“On important occasions like evening Iftar or Jagne-ki-Raat and other celebrations, power goes-off abruptly. While upmarket parts of city continue to enjoy unimpeded power supply, old city public bear the brunt of power cuts. Why this step motherly treatment, despite good rains and inflows?” asked MBT’s Amjedullah Khan.

The leaders also pointed out that the officials of electricity department are not prompt enough in responding to the pleas of old city residents.

“It’s the responsibility of authorities to take proper measures for uninterrupted supply,” felt Loksatta party’s K. Srinivasa Rao.

Several of them dared Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Hyderabad in-charge Minister Shabbir Ali to visit old city anytime and take stock of the situation.

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