Sangrur / Bhawanigarh: Reeling under the intense summer heat and unscheduled power outages, farmers in Sangrur district staged a massive protest today. Expressing heavy resentment against the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the state government, members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) laid siege to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office in Bhawanigarh.
The Protest at Bhawanigarh SDO Office
The protest was spearheaded by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda - Burjgill faction). Hundreds of farmers gathered outside the Bhawanigarh SDO office, effectively blocking its operations. The dharna (sit-in protest) was addressed by several prominent union leaders, including State Vice President Gurmeet Singh Bhattiwal, District President Karam Singh Balyal, Block President Chamkaur Singh Bhattiwal, and Buddh Singh Balad.
Crops and Irrigation Taking a Hit
The primary grievance of the agitating farmers was the severe disruption of agricultural activities due to a lack of electricity.
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Water Crisis for Crops: Farmer leaders highlighted that green fodder and other seasonal crops urgently require water during the scorching summer months.
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Failed Promises: The protesters criticized the Punjab government, stating that despite official claims of providing uninterrupted power, rural areas are facing massive and continuous cuts, leading to direct crop damage and financial losses.
Demands and the Ultimatum
The farmers issued a stern warning to the administration, declaring that the gherao (blockade) of the office would not be lifted until their demand for a continuous, uninterrupted power supply for their tubewells and villages was strictly met. They emphasized that the farming community should not have to pay the price for administrative lapses.
Resolution and Assurances
The tense situation was eventually defused after the intervention of power utility officials.
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Raghvir Singh, SDO of the nearby Gharachon division, reached the protest site to hold talks with the union leaders.
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He provided a firm assurance that the unannounced power cuts would be halted and reliable electricity supply would be restored.
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Following this official commitment, the BKU leaders agreed to conclude the sit-in protest.
In Related News: BKU Ugrahan Meets PSPCL CMD in Patiala
Parallel to the Bhawanigarh protest, the electricity crisis sparked mobilization in neighboring Patiala as well. A delegation of BKU (Ugrahan), led by District President Jaswinder Singh Bras, met with the PSPCL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Basant Garg. They laid out two major demands:
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Agricultural Supply: A minimum of 8 hours of uninterrupted electricity daily specifically for tubewell motors to ensure proper crop irrigation.
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Domestic Supply: Relief from sudden power cuts in rural residential areas, demanding a 24-hour supply for households. The CMD assured the delegation that domestic supply would be streamlined and agricultural motors would receive at least 5 hours of power starting from 7:00 AM, alongside commitments to repair transformers before the upcoming paddy season.
