CPI(M) Ullal zone activists staged a protest at Chembugudde Mescom office, in protest against the move of the department to fix deposits on electricity consumers on Tuesday.  The protestors urged the authorities to return the deposits to the consumers. Heeding to the demands of the protestors, Mescom officials agreed to suspend the collection of deposits temporarily. The department also agreed to convene meeting in which consumers, police officials and traders will be invited.
Mescom Assistant Engineer Manjappa said: “We will not collect deposits unless the meeting is convened. If any officer comes to collect deposits, you can file a complaint. Stringent action will be initiated against such an official.”
CPI (M) had taken out a procession from Thokkottu bus stop to the Mescom office. Hundreds of consumers who joined hands with the CPI(M) had plans to stage protest in front of the Mesom office. However, the police did not allow them to enter the Mescom premises, which lead to verbal dual between the police and the protesters.
Angry over Mescom official for not hearing the grievances of the public, CPM Ullal General Secretary Ramachandra Ucchil and others forcibly entered the Mescom premises.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ucchil said “Mescom is cheating the consumers by urging to pay the deposits once again. They have been harassing the consumers by sending a notice to pay the deposits.”
“Mescom consumers are not dacoits. Officials are our servants. If we stop using electricity what will they do,” he asked.
Consumers had paid a sum of Rs 300 as deposits 25 years ago. Now how can they ask consumers to pay again. If all the interest is calculated, Mescom has to pay for its consumers.
District Samithi Member Krishna Salian, Padmavathi Shetty, DYFI’s Arun Kumar among others led the protest.