Pabna farmers protest erratic power supply
Hundreds of farmers in Atghoria upazila put up barricade on Pabna-Chatmohar highway yesterday demanding uninterrupted power supply for irrigation of boro fields.
The agitating farmers also brought out a procession which paraded the main streets of the upazila headquarters.
Later, at a rally, they threatened to go for a tougher programme if their demand was not met within four days.
Shahidul Islam Ratan, upazila unit AL secretary and also the representative of farmers, upazila irrigation pump owner's association leaders Zohurul Islam and Abdul Gafur Mia, spoke at the rally.
The speakers said that erratic power supply under Palli Biddut samity (PBS)-1 was disrupting irrigation in the area.
We did not get even one hour power supply for operating irrigation pumps. Though there was electricity at night, the pumps did not work due to low voltage, they alleged.
Ratan said, over 250 irrigation pumps went out of order due to the erratic power supply, causing untold sufferings to boro farmers.
Hundreds of acres of cultivable land remained dry for inadequate supply of power, threatening boro farming in Atghoria, Chatmohar and Bhangura and Ishwardi upazilas, sources said.
The protesters threatened to besiege PBS-1 office on April 5 if their demand was not met within the deadline.
Abdul Matin, general manager of PBS-1, said they were getting only 12 to 15 megawatt power in peak hour while the requirement was around 35MW.
“So, how could we supply electricity as per demand?” he posed.
Low voltage often hampers operation of over 4,000 power pumps in the four upazilas, he said.
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