Farmers block National Highway in Phagwara over unannounced power cuts

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 29

Furious over power outage amid the paddy season, farmers from the region came out on roads to protest against Punjab State Power Corporation Limited here on Tuesday.

Following a call given by the Kirti Kisan Union, scores of farmers staged a sit-in near the Phagwara sugar mill chowk and blocked the national highway for nearly three hours, leaving commuters stranded on the road. They also raised slogans against the government and held a protest against frequent breakdowns of electricity.

Surinder Singh Bains, one of the agitators, said many villagers had to use alternative ways to get electricity supply, but costly diesel had increased the input costs of irrigating fields.

“The government has failed to ensure an eight-hour power supply to farmers during the paddy season. Power has not been available for a week. Despite complaints, farmers are getting electricity for only five to six hours, which is not sufficient to irrigate our fields,” said Pala Singh, another farmer.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the administration, senior police officers reached the spot and tried to convince the farmers to lift the protest, but to no avail. An attempt was made on behalf of the administration to talk to the farmers, but they stuck to their demands.