Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 9: Under the banner of Padubidri Citizens Welfare Forum, citizens of Padubidri who have been frustrated with the unending power cuts and indifferent attitude of the staff handling power distribution mobbed the Mescom office in Padubidri on the morning of Tuesday July 8.
The Forum, supported by various local organizations and the gram panchayat members, submitted a memorandum containing various demands like posting of a permanent manager to Padubidri office of Mescom, appointment of linemen and other staff to vacant posts, supply of power all 24 hours of the day, convening of customer meet once in every month and prompt redressal of complaints etc., and have warned of stronger measures if the demands are not met within a week.
Addressing the protestors, president of the taluk Union of Mahila Mandals Sheela Shetty said that the unscheduled load shedding even extending beyond 15 hours every day, is resorted to by Mescom to illegally supply power to Nagarjuna and Suzlon companies against which the local people are agitating. Whenever the consumers call the local Mescom office, they get arrogant and give threatening replies. Small industries and cottage industries are suffering huge losses because of the mistakes being committed by Mescom, she said.
A memorandum listing out demands of consumers was handed over to Mescom assistant executive engineer Ravikant Kamat.
The officials, who were hitherto refusing to agree that Mescom has been supplying power to Nagarjuna and Suzlon companies, confessed during the protests, that the Mescom has been supplying 150 kv power to Nagarjuna from Shirva feeder and 75 kv to Suzlon from Mulki feeder since the last one year. After Ravikant Kamat gave this information, the gathering demanded for stopping the said supply with immediate effect. Kamat also said that the higher officials have agreed to reduce load-shedding to one hour daily and to post staff to vacant posts and provide a jeep to the office with two supporting staff.
Office-bearers of various organizations along with Forum president Vishu Kumar Shetty led the protestors.