The Seventy two hours Dharna organized by the Kisan Sabha and Seb Utpadak Sangh came to an end today. The two farmer organizations have termed the Dharna as a “victory for the farmers of Theog Tehsil”.
A settlement was arrived between the management of the H.P State Electricity Board and a negotiation team of the farmers’ organization. The Electricity Board was represented by the Chairman of the Board R.D. Dhiman, Director Operations J.P. Kalta, chief Engineer South Rajesh Thakur, XEN Theog and SDO Matiyana. The farmers’ body was led by Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar, President of the State Kisan Sabha, Mohan Shillo the Secretary of the Kisan Sabha Theog Unit, Om Parkash President of the Kisan Sabha Theog unit and representatives from 24 Panchayats of Theog Tehsil.
As per the settlement, the Board management has agreed to resolve the major demands on or before 31st July 2012. On the issue of 13 vacant posts of J.E’s orders have been issued to immediately transfer 5 J.E’s and the rest 8 would be recruited in one and a half months time by 20th Aug. 2012. The Board management has agreed to supply 3163 electricity polls which would be erected first in those places where the distribution lines have been laid on apple trees, deodar pine and oak trees. All distribution lines which have been worn out will be replaced before 31st July for which the Chairman Electricity board has taken personal responsibility. The farmers organizations have appreciated the decision of the chairman to take personal responsibility to have poles and distribution lines erected and laid in the 22 Panchayats which are of “critical nature” where the distribution line are within” dangerous distance” from the ground.
The management has also under taken to provide electricity bills to the consumers on monthly basis. And the practice of providing these bills after the lapse of every 10 months will be stopped with immediate effect.For improving the low voltage of electricity it was decided to install 19 transformers in different places.
The Chairman Electricity Board has agreed to provide electricity connection to the dalit village of Jawadi Kufta under Kelvi Panchayat. The Kisan Sabha has asked the electricity board to implement the settlement in letter and spirit before 31st July 2012 failing which the farmers’ organization will be compelled to conduct a long March which will be launched in the first week of Aug. and will culminate on the Kumar House head quarter of the electricity board.
