Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, July, 11
Tarnjit Singh Tony, General Secretary of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee and DDC Suchetgarh, has urged the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to waive the electricity bills of zero line farmers. He said that the farmers residing in the sensitive border areas playing a crucial role in bolstering the morale and operational capabilities of the armed forces and BSF during challenging border situations.
During this visit to BOP Chhawani at Zero Line area along the India-Pakistan border in Sae Khurd Panchayat, Tony emphasized the invaluable contribution of zero line farmers, highlighting their steadfast support to the security forces deployed in these critical zones. He underscored that waiving their electricity bills would not only alleviate their financial strain but also enhance their ability to sustain agricultural activities vital to the region’s economy and security.
“Zero line farmers are the backbone of our border defense strategy, providing essential support to our brave soldiers and security personnel.
It is imperative that we recognize and support their sacrifices by ensuring they are not burdened with unnecessary financial obligations,” he added.
The senior Congress leader further stressed that easing the financial burden on these farmers would reinforce the government’s commitment to enhancing border security efforts and ensuring the well-being of those living in sensitive border regions. He urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to consider this proposal earnestly, emphasizing that it would not only benefit the farmers directly but also contribute significantly to the overall security infrastructure of the region.
Earlier, Taranjit Singh Tony, along with officials from the Power Development Department (PDD) including XEn Ashok Chibber, AEE Rajiv Kaul, and AE Pawan Kumar, conducted a visit to the sensitive Zero Line areas along the India-Pakistan border at BOP Chhawani in Sae Khurd Panchayat and Sae Kalan in Suchetgarh constituency and took stock of damaged poles. Due to recent severe weather conditions, nearly 150 power poles in Suchetgarh were damaged, affecting crucial electricity infrastructure in the region.
Recognizing the importance of restoring power supply swiftly, Tony emphasized that uninterrupted electricity is essential, especially during the paddy season for irrigation, given the constraints faced with water supply from the Ranbir canal.
XEn Ashok Chibber assured the DDC member Tony of expediting the restoration work, which is set to commence tomorrow, underscoring its priority status.
Among those who were present include former Sarpanch Sarabjit Singh, former Sarpanch Sham Lal Bhagat, Ch. Bihari Lal, former Panch Madan Lal, former Panch Joginder Singh, former Panch Rajinder Kumar, Bawa Choudhary, Ramesh Choudhary, and several other farmers.
