The Theog Unit of the Kisan Sabha and Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh today started a 72 hours Dharna before the office of the Chairman of the State Electricity Board. The Dharna is being organized against the failure of the Electricity Board to solve the problems of the consumers under the Theog division of the electricity board.
The Kisan Sabha has stated the neo-liberal policies being pursued by the state govt. has resulted in massive shortage of staff in the Electricity Board. It is shocking of the 16 posts of JE’s under the Theog Electricity Division 12 posts are lying vacant since a long time and in place of 10 posts of foreman (Line), 5 are vacant. Many areas of Theog remain without power supply for days together once there is a breakdown of electricity. It is shocking the board is violating the Electricity Act, the transmission lines have been erected on all kinds of trees, Apple, Pears, Oak, Deodar, Pine etc. In many places the distances of the High Tension Transmission lines are within dangerous limits from the ground. There are several unreported cases where women have died due to electrocution while cutting grass because of low lying transmission lines.
The Kisan Sabha has stated that there is a requirement of 15000 Electricity polls under the Theog Electricity Division but the Deptt., has only been able to supply 1500 so far. They added that the voltage of electricity is poor, the light provided by a candle is far more than that provided by electric bulls.
The Kisan Sabha has threatened to intensify the struggle against the Electricity Board in case it fails to fulfill the demands of the people of Theog.
