People's protests expose Govt's inept handling of power crisis

Unguturu (West Godavari): The simmering discontent among people on poor handling of electricity supply by State government reached flash point when they took part in large numbers in the protests organised under the auspices of YSR Congress Party in Unguturu Assembly constituency in West Godavari district on Monday as part of state-wide agitation. The party succeeded in tapping the support of people to expose the government on power front. Sympathisers of the party under the leadership of the district unit convenor, Balaraju, stormed Narayanapur electricity sub-station. He lambasted the government for failure to handle the power supply. How could people expect the government address other problems when it failed power consumers, he asked. Recalling YS Rajasekhara Reddy's ``best'' governance, he said farmers were provided electricity for free and people did not face power shortage under the ``able'' administration of the leader. It was the foresight of the slain leader that helped his government to live up to the expectations of the people, he said. A large gathering of supporters representing Bhimadolu, Nidamarru, Unguturu and Ganapavaram mandals made the protest programme a success. In Tadepalligudem constituency, protestors laid siege to Housing Board electricity sub-station. Addressing the agitating workers, party in-charge Tota Gopi said the Congress government had lost the moral right to govern as the State was plunged into darkness. The government's policy on power had badly affected agriculture and industry. The impact was devastating on middle class families. The Congress came to power with the labour of YSR and did not respect his ideals after his accidental death. All sections of society had been suffering because of ``selfish rule of the Congress,'' he accused.

Students affected Ongole: YSRCP activists and people took out a rally in the town and squatted before Prakasam district Collectorate here to highlight power crisis. They raised anti-government slogans and demanded uninterrupted power supply. They accused the government of spoiling the future of students who were the worst effected lot because of the power cuts. It was government's lack of planning that led to the crisis, the leaders said addressing the gathering. People in rural belts were unaware of the power supply timings as they face more than 12-hour power cut. Many industries had been facing closure in the district. The farmers were facing unprecedented challenges to save their crops, they alleged.

Nani grills officials Eluru: Local MLA Alla Nani grilled the West Godavari district authorities for the inordinate delay in execution of works worth Rs 1.3 crore under non-plan grant in his constituency. He turned furious when officials informed him that the Collector, Dr G Vani Mohan, did not take a decision on the file sent to her for approval. Stating that he was directly responsible for development and answerable to people, the MLA held the government responsible for the delay in divider works estimated at Rs 3.5 crore. The officials were speechless when the MLA sought to know the status of various problems debated by him during the review meeting of Eluru Municipal Corporation which was also attended by the then special officer, Dr G Vani Mohan, and local MP Kavuri Sambasivarao.