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OFFICIALS RETREAT
* About 70 angry residents stop the leaders from organising LED bulb distribution function
* Programme eventually cancelled and hundreds of people return empty-handed from the venue
* Angry residents demand solution to frequent power cuts before distributing the LED bulbs
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The government's decision to supply free LED bulbs to a village in Bicholim taluka faced with frequent disruption in electricity supply ended up powering some high voltage drama on Monday.
Annoyed over frequent power cuts in Sal village, an irate mob of about 70 residents stopped BJP leaders from organising a function to distribute free LED bulbs in the village.
The programme was eventually cancelled and hundreds of people who had gathered at the venue to collect LED bulbs had to return empty-handed.
The angry residents have demanded that the problem of frequent power cuts be solved before distributing the LED bulbs.
The BJP workers have hit back and alleged that it was the handiwork of the opposition group, especially since Speaker Anant Shet had assured the people to resolve the problem of power cuts by discussing the issue with Power Minister Milind Naik by Thursday.
BJP had organised the programme at Sal Panchayat hall and it was attended by Speaker Shet, former Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, Bicholim BJP Mandal Chief Vallabh Salkar, Shilpa Naik and other leaders.
Interestingly, Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal, Latambarcem ZP Sanjay Shetye and Sal Sarpanch Ghanayshyam were also present at the venue from the other group.
Hundreds of people had gathered near Sal Panchayat hall to receive the bulbs, but an irate mob opposed the programme after complaining of frequent power cuts in Sal since the last few days.
During one such power outage on Saturday, residents anxiously waited for the linemen, who had assured to undertake the repair work. The linemen did not turn up and residents decided to give vent to their anger on Monday.
As the BJP leaders arrived for the LED bulb distribution function, the mob confronted them over the issue of frequent power cuts.
ZP Sanjay Shetye, who was present at the meet, said they were not against BJP's activities, but were insisting on a permanent solution to frequent power cuts.
MLA Sawal also expressed concern over frequent power cuts and said it did not make sense to distribute bulbs in a village which lacks proper power supply.
After listening to the agitators, Speaker Shet, Rajesh Patnekar, Vallabh Salkar and other senior leaders tried to persuade them, but their efforts went in vain.
A police team was also present to avoid any untoward incident. The programme was eventually cancelled and hundreds of beneficiaries had to return empty handed.
