‘Fine for auto-start switch’ rumour terrifies farmers in Mansa

Farmers in the district got panicky after rumours of powercom officials imposing fine on them for using auto-start switch on their tubewell connection, went viral here on Wednesday.

The auto-start button is generally known as "bhaiya", a term generally used for migrant labourers from Bihar and UP. The auto-start button is installed over tubewell connection to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity.

According to farmers from Behnibagah village, a rumour went viral over social media stating that powercom officials will fine the farmers who have installed the auto start switch on their tubewell connection. "We got to know that the powercom officials will carry an inspection to check the presence of the switch in our fields and those using the switch will be fined a hefty sum of money.

Fearing this, some of the farmers removed the switch," said Mohinder Singh, secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). The farmer union also held a meeting and threatened to hold captive the officials of the PSPCL if they would visit for such inspection.

This comes a few days after officials of a bank where rescued by the cops from Behnibagah village. They were held captive by union members when they had gone to deliver a debt recovery notice to a farmer.

Executive engineer of the PSPCL at Budhlada, RK Goyal denied of having issued such orders over the removal of the switch. "We have not issued any orders regarding the removal of the switch or fining farmers." A video showing farmers removing the switch has gone viral on WhatsApp.