APEPDCL official apologises to woman Sarpanch

Akiveedu: A woman Sarpanch and her husband along with villagers of Ajjamuru village in Akiveedu mandal staged a protest at APEPDCL (AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited) Assistant Divisional Engineer’s office in Akiveedu on Thursday, alleging that the ADE, Rajagopal Chowdary abused her over the arrears of electricity charges of her house.

According to Sarpanch Bacca Sarala Kumari, the APEPDCL Assitant Divisional Engineer Rajagopal Chowdary had abused her and threatened her that he would disconnect her electricity service connection. 

She explained that she has electricity service connection SC No 313 for her house in Ajjamuru village and the APEPDC ADE Rajagopal Chowdary warned that if she did not pay the Rs 21,403 pending bill, the power supply would be disconnected. 

He also warned that he would file a case of power theft and abused her and her husband Baccu Krishna over the phone. She said there were differences in the power bills since 2015 and she requested the APEPDCL officials to rectify those mistakes and change the service meter. “My husband and I visited the electricity office several times to pay the bill from the application date. However, no one answered on the issue. Now, the ADE warned my husband and me about the power supply stoppage”, she stated.  

She questioned the ADE why the department did not take action against her all these years. The electricity officials have not even answered her questions. She alleged that the ADE had threatened her even though she belongs ruling party. 

Akiveedu Agriculture Marketing Committee chairman Motupalli Prasad, Akiveedu Sarpanch Gotla Ganapati, MPTC member Bolla Venkatrao, Ajjamuru village Upa Sarpanch Bondada Venkatesulu reached the ADE office here and enquired about the incident. After that, they said they would complain the matter to MLA VV Sivarama Raju and informed over the phone about the situation. The MLA said he would look into the matter as he was out of the station.

Meanwhile, the ADE Rajagopal Chowdary reached the spot. After discussions, he tendered an apology to the Sarpanch and her husband. When the reporters asked about the incident, the ADE did not respond and accused the media of spreading rumours.