{
  "id": 13998666,
  "title": "Madhya Pradesh Power Crisis: Congress Protests Frequent Power Cuts, Inflated Electricity Bills Across Districts; Farmers Hit Hard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/madhya-pradesh-power-crisis-congress-protests-frequent-power-cuts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T15:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/madhya-pradesh-power-crisis-congress-protests-frequent-power-cuts-inflated-electricity-bills-across-districts-farmers-hit-hard"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A heated protest erupted in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, as Congress workers and residents gathered at the MP Electricity Board's district office. The demonstration, organized by district panchayat member Deepak Singh Gurjar with MLA Vipin Jain in attendance, was aimed at voicing their grievances over frequent power cuts, alleged high electricity bills, and the survey for smart meters. Gurjar lamented the lack of daylight and nighttime electricity supply in rural areas, urging an immediate suspension of the proposed tariff hike, the withdrawal of police cases against protesters opposing smart meters, and the cancellation of false cases related to power overload and theft.\n\nAddressing the gathering, the district panchayat leader demanded relief for consumers facing difficulties like bank account freezes and property attachment due to unpaid electricity bills. MLA Jain criticized the department's handling of power distribution, warning officials against dismissing the demands made by elected representatives. Protesters also expressed dissatisfaction over inflated bills, demands for substantial amounts to install new tariff point (TP) connections, and payments collected without proper receipts. They emphasized the urgency of addressing consumer complaints.\n\nIn Sitanpur district, Congress activists staged a sit-in protest and marched from Laduna crossroads, highlighting the severe impact of prolonged power outages on farmers and residents. They alleged that these outages disrupted daily life and raised fears of nocturnal dangers. The protesters submitted a memorandum demanding regular power supply, adequate electricity for farmers, and repairs to damaged electrical infrastructure. Meanwhile, in Habua, the District Youth Congress, led by president Natwar Dodiyar, demanded an end to unscheduled power cuts, excessive bills, and the provision of consistent electricity supply to rural areas. They also called for prompt investigations into incorrect bills and timely resolution of consumer grievances.\n\nIn Pansemal, block Congress committee members and farmers submitted a memorandum to naib tehsildar Rajaram Ranade over unannounced power cuts affecting crops, students, and drinking water supplies. A rally was organized at the Electricity Board office, with junior engineer Rajendra Patel assuring the protesters that the issues would be resolved soon. Protesters warned of further agitation if the power disruptions continued.\n\nIn Badnawar, the Congress, led by MLA Bhawar Singh Shekhawat, organized a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to executive engineer Vineet Thakur and tehsildar Suresh Nagar. They highlighted severe problems faced by farmers due to irregular power cuts, low-capacity transformers, and high temporary connection charges. Nirdesh Sonagara read the memorandum aloud.\n\nKhandwa residents in Singot and surrounding villages complained about frequent unannounced power cuts that impacted studies, drinking water, household work, and farming activities. Block Congress Committee (Singot) president Kedar Patidar submitted a memorandum to the junior engineer at the electricity distribution center, seeking a regular power supply. District Congress spokesperson Premanshu Jain informed villagers about their hardships and warned of potential agitation and road blockades if the issue persisted.",
  "summary": "Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh): Congress workers and residents gheraoed the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board’s district office on Monday to protest frequent power cuts, allegedly excessive electricity bills and the ongoing survey for smart meters. The protest was organised at the call of district panchayat member and Congress leader Deepak Singh Gurjar, with Mandsaur MLA Vipin Jain participating.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}