Malhargarh (Madhya Pradesh): Farmers, along with Congress leaders, have expressed outrage over the recent decision of the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Distribution Company to freeze the bank accounts of defaulters. The Malhargarh Congress Committee, along with local farmers, submitted a memorandum to SDO Ravindra Parmar and divisional engineer Jaipal Singh Thakur on Friday, demanding immediate repeal of what they termed as ‘black law’ .

Block Congress president Anil Sharma termed the power distribution company’s actions as dictatorial, stressing that freezing the personal accounts of defaulting farmers is unfair. He highlighted the disparity in treatment between farmers and large industrialists, who owe considerable sums but are not subject to any strict measures.

“The needle is hung while the sword is forgiven,” he said, highlighting the injustices faced by farmers, laborers and small business owners who are already struggling under economic pressure. Faced with soaring inflation and unusual rains that devastate crops, farmers find themselves in a dire financial situation, often unable to obtain fair prices for their products.

Sharma insisted that if the freeze on their accounts was lifted, farmers would be able to pay their dues quickly. Following the submission of the memorandum, the Congress leaders also met Divisional Engineer Thakur to reiterate their demands.

District Congress vice-president Ajit Kumth has raised concerns that domestic consumers are receiving inflated bills despite the switch to energy-efficient LEDs. The event was attended by various Congress leaders and a large contingent of farmers, all united in their call for justice and fair treatment.