Kosal Discussion and Development Forum

Protest in Balangir against low voltage, irregular water supply and black-marketing of LPG

April 15, 2010 at 7:09 pm sanjibkarmee Leave a comment

Following is a report from The Pioneer:

Normal life in Balangir town, which has reeling under the sizzling temperature of 44 degree Celsius and extremely irregular water supply and low electric voltage, came to a grinding halt on Thursday as a result of a 12-hour bandh, the call for which was given by the Joint Action Committee of Citizens in protest against the low voltage, irregular water supply and black-marketing of LPG.

Shops and other business establishments remained closed; buses were off the roads and almost all offices, including banks, post offices and District Collectorate, were closed. The town wore a totally deserted look.

After staging a dharna before the Collectorate, the demonstrators moved to the Collector’s residence and burnt tyres there. The irate denizens broke earthen pots (pitchers) as a symbol of protest, besides raising slogans against local MLA and Minister AU Singh Deo and MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo for their inaction in solving the water and electricity crises.

Pramod Mishra of the Joint Action Committee said the Government had assured to solve the electricity and water crises a month ago, but unfortunately no steps have been taken in this regard so far. Even as the citizens were holding protest, it is unfortunate that the District Collector was absent in the headquarters. “We condemn the inaction and apathy of local MLA and Minister AU Singh Deo and local MP Kalikesh Singh Deo towards the issue,” added Mishra.

BJP district president Prabhas Panigrahi said that while Balangir is burning at 44 degree Celsius and there is no water supply since 11 days, both the local MLA and MP are leading comfortable life in Bhubaneswar and Delhi.

The MLA and MP have forgotten that they have to play a vital role to solve the power and water crises, besides stopping the black-marketing of LPG. Another committee leader Sudhir Parischha also condemned the apathetic attitude of the MLA and the MP.

“We are going to decide the future course of action on Friday, and the Government would be responsible for the situation arising out of our action,” warned Pramod Mishra.

Entry filed under: Balangir, Region watch.