'Peepli' goes without power as film unit 'fails' to pay up

Mar 31, 2012 |

Bhopal

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The power supply to Badwai village in Raisen district where Aamir Khan's much acclaimed Peepli Live was shot has been discontinued due to alleged non- payment of dues of over Rs 3.5 lakh by the film unit and the village has been without electricity for the last fortnight.

The matter was raised on Friday in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly during the Zero Hour by Arif Aqueel of Congress. Aqeel alleged that villagers were forced to live without electricity as the film unit had failed to pay the power dues.

The film unit allegedly owes Rs 3.5 lakh to the state utility. Some villagers, including Masterji, Gaya Prasad (who featured in the film) were also among the defaulters, the power supply company sources said. The power supply to the main water source, a borewell, has also been disconnected.

Javed Khan, a resident of Badwai, said while villagers owed petty amounts, the film unit's bill was hefty and it was not possible for the villagers to pay it.

Power Distribution Company's Gauharganj Junior Engineer, Rajkumar said that total dues from Badwai and nearby villages stood at nearly Rs 4.5 lakh. "Even if a small part of dues are paid, the electricity supply will be restored," he said.

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