Click to play videoNew Delhi: A group of villagers in Haryana have decided not to pay their power bills to protest non-availability of electricity. And the villagers have also laid down their own code to punish anyone who violates this diktat.
The panchayat of 25 villages in Haryana's Ambala district refuses to silently suffer the punishing power cuts this summer. After writing numerous petitions to the electricity department, the villagers have decided to stop paying power bills. Those who disagree or disobey the panchayat will have to bear the brunt by paying a fine.
''If there's no power, there'll be no payment of bills. We have asked villagers not to pay their electricity bills due to erratic and unreliable power supply,” says Panchayat Head, Dharamveer.
''Anyone violating the dictat will have to pay a fine of 1100 rupees and organise a feast for 100 villagers',” says Panchayat Member, Kailash.
Nine of the 25 villages have already stopped paying bills. “Realizations have dropped in nine villages,” says Executive Engineer, Electricity Department, BS Ranga.
However, taking a serious note of the decision, the district administration is now planning to act against those leading this campaign. “We will take action against those who create a law and order situation,” says Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, Mohammad Shaheen.
Reacting to the protest by the villagers, newly appointed Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh said the Haryana chief minister must look into the matter.
"Haryana was the first state to have 100 per cent electrification. It's very surprising to see this kind of complaint. I am sure this might be a problem of some remote village and this is a concern for the CM of Haryana. You must address the question to him," Jairam Ramesh replied when asked if his ministry was going to take any action.
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