Farmers’ body seeks ₹50 lakh compensation for farmer electrocuted on field
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The Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham is demanding ₹50 lakh compensation and a government job for the family of a farmer killed by a snapped 11-KV power line. The incident at Kasapuram has sparked accusations of negligence against the electricity department for failing to maintain aging infrastructure.
Tragedy in Guntakal: Infrastructure Negligence Claims a Life
The untimely death of 40-year-old farmer Boya Anjaneyulu in Kasapuram, Guntakal mandal, has brought the precarious state of rural electrical infrastructure into sharp focus. While working in his agricultural field on Tuesday, Anjaneyulu was electrocuted instantly when an 11-KV power line snapped and fell upon him. The incident also resulted in the loss of an ox, underscoring the sudden and devastating nature of the accident that has left a family without its sole breadwinner.
Accountability and Demands for Justice
In response to this fatality, the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham has formally petitioned Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar. The organization is demanding a compensation package of ₹50 lakh and a government job for a member of the deceased's family, which includes his wife, Neelavathi, and three children, including a 16-year-old. State president V. Krishnaiah has explicitly pinned the blame on the electricity department, citing a systemic failure to address safety hazards in the region.
The Crisis of Aging Infrastructure
Central to the grievances aired by the Rythu Sangham is the persistent, unheeded warning regarding the condition of local power lines. Despite repeated requests for the maintenance and replacement of aging electricity infrastructure, authorities allegedly failed to take corrective action. This tragedy serves as a grim example of how deferred maintenance in rural power distribution networks can have lethal consequences for those working in close proximity to high-voltage lines.
Broader Implications for Agricultural Safety
This incident highlights a broader, systemic issue within agricultural regions where farmers are often exposed to hazardous infrastructure. The reliance on aging 11-KV lines that traverse active farmlands poses a continuous risk. Without a rigorous, proactive inspection and replacement program, the risk of similar incidents remains high, potentially threatening the livelihoods and lives of many more agricultural workers across the state.
Future Outlook and Policy Reform
Moving forward, the pressure on the Energy Minister to address these demands will likely serve as a catalyst for discussions regarding safety audits of rural power grids. To prevent future tragedies, authorities must move beyond reactive measures and implement comprehensive infrastructure upgrades. The outcome of this case will be a significant indicator of whether the government is prepared to prioritize the safety of farmers by investing in the modernization of electrical distribution systems in rural Andhra Pradesh.
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