MLA pulls up KPDCL staff over electricity cut in Pallar village of Central Kashmir’s Budgam
*Tanveer Hussain*
Budgam, Jan 1, KNT: Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir, late in the evening on Wednesday, lost his cool and strongly admonished officials and employees of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited for cutting off electricity supplies to poor villagers in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
According to locals, the MLA questioned the action of the power utility and dared officials to disconnect the electricity supply to high-profile offices, including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the office of the Superintending Engineer and other government establishments, instead of targeting economically weak villagers. He asked KPDCL authorities to stop harassing poor people and refrain from cutting power supply on flimsy grounds.
The incident occurred after KPDCL employees snapped the electricity supply to Pallar village in Budgam district on Wednesday evening. The action followed protests by villagers against the installation of smart electricity meters in the area. Villagers said the power cut was imposed as a pressure tactic after they raised objections and staged a peaceful protest.
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Following the intervention of the Budgam MLA, KPDCL employees were forced to restore electricity to the village. The restoration of power brought relief to the inhabitants, who had been left without electricity during the evening hours.
Locals expressed gratitude to Aga Syed Muntazir for what they described as a timely and decisive intervention. They said the MLA’s presence and firm stand prevented further escalation of the situation and ensured immediate restoration of essential services.
The MLA also directed KPDCL authorities to deal with public concerns regarding smart meters through dialogue and awareness instead of coercive measures. He emphasized that any issues related to billing or installation should be addressed as per procedure and without causing hardship to poor villagers.
Officials from the power department, meanwhile, said the matter was resolved on the spot and electricity supply was restored to maintain normalcy in the area. [KNT]
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