Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 24: Under the leadership of Udhampur District Congress Committee (DCC) president Sumeet Magotra, a massive protest march was organized today against the Power Development Department (PDD) and the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) over what the party termed as continuous and unjustified power cuts across the district.
The protest march began from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park and passed through the main markets of Udhampur, during which the protesters raised slogans against the PDD, SLDC and the alleged anti-people policies responsible for severe electricity shortages. The march culminated at the PDD office, where the agitating Congress workers met the Executive Engineer (XEN) and sought an explanation for the frequent and prolonged power outages.
Addressing the gathering, Sumeet Magotra recalled that prior to the installation of smart meters, the authorities had assured residents that areas with 100 per cent smart meter coverage would receive uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply. However, he said that despite large-scale installation of smart meters in both urban and rural parts of the district, the reality on the ground was completely different.
Magotra said that people across Udhampur are facing immense hardship due to erratic power supply, particularly during the harsh winter season. Terming the situation as “highly insensitive and irresponsible,” he held the concerned departments accountable for the public distress.
The DCC president also expressed resentment over the continuation of power cuts during sacred festivals such as Lohri and Makar Sankranti, calling it a blatant disregard for public sentiments. He strongly questioned the silence of the local BJP MLA, asking why the elected representative has failed to raise the issue despite widespread public suffering.
Warning the authorities, Magotra said that if the PDD and SLDC fail to take immediate corrective measures and ensure regular power supply, the Congress party would intensify its agitation in the coming days. Senior leaders of the DCC were also present during the protest.
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