06/07/2026
*Border farmers hold protest outside MD JPDCL office over 16-hour power cuts; Tony slams department for 'ignoring farmers'*
*"Officials are sleeping in ac rooms while border farmers watch their paddy crop die"*
Jammu, July 6: Amid growing anger over prolonged power outages, hundreds of farmers from the border belt staged a protest outside the Managing Director, Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) office near Jammu University, demanding immediate restoration of electricity to save their paddy crop.
The protest was led by Former DDC Suchetgarh Taranjit Singh Tony, who launched a scathing attack on the JPDCL administration, accusing the Managing Director and senior officials of remaining indifferent to the hardships of farmers despite repeated representations and worsening conditions in the border villages.
Among those present during the protest were Sarabjit Singh, Balbir Singh, Master Taran Pal, Shamsher Puri, Joginder Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Renu Kumari, Karnail Singh, Sikander Chand, Tarsem Chand, Roshan Lal, Bittu Thekedar and Fardan Malik, who extended their full support to the farmers' agitation and demanded immediate restoration of regular power supply to save the standing paddy crop.
Addressing the gathering, Tony said the department has completely failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the peak paddy sowing season. He alleged that farmers are facing power cuts of nearly 16 hours every day, making it impossible to operate irrigation pumps when crops need water the most.
"Border farmers are fighting scorching heat, high humidity and an almost rainless season. Paddy transplantation is at its peak, but electricity is unavailable to run water pumps. The saplings are drying up before they can establish themselves. If this continues, the entire paddy crop will be destroyed," Tony said.
Calling paddy the backbone of the rural economy in the border areas, Tony warned that thousands of farming families are staring at huge financial losses due to what he termed the "complete negligence and administrative failure" of JPDCL.
He strongly criticized the Managing Director of JPDCL for failing to address the issue despite repeated complaints from farmers.
"The Managing Director has shown little concern for the suffering of border farmers. While cultivators spend sleepless nights trying to save their fields, officials remain confined to air-conditioned offices. Their indifference is pushing farmers towards an avoidable crisis," Tony alleged.
Tony appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and direct the Power Development Department to restore regular electricity supply for agricultural purposes. He also demanded accountability against officials responsible for the prolonged outages.
Following pressure from the protest, officials assured the farmers that a joint inspection by the Mechanical Wing and Power Development Department would be conducted at 11:30 AM on Monday at the Sai Power Station. The concerned Executive Engineers (XENs) of both departments will assess the ground situation and identify immediate measures to improve power supply in the affected villages.
Tony further highlighted the long-pending demand for the installation of a 6.3 KVA transformer at Village Byapur, stating that despite repeated assurances, the transformer has remained pending for nearly 10 months.
He said that after today's protest, Mechanical XEN Surinder Kumar assured the farmers that the transformer would be installed by Saturday, bringing much-needed relief to residents.
Warning of a larger agitation if the assurances are not fulfilled, Tony said the farmers would intensify their protest across the border belt.
"We will not allow the farming community to suffer because of bureaucratic apathy. If electricity is not restored immediately and promises are not honoured, this movement will grow stronger in the coming days," Tony asserted.
