Piece De Resistance

When the weather gods fail the farmer, his dependence on tubewells and electricity grows in direct proportion to the deficiency in rainfall. Obviously, this holds true for an area where subsoil water is available, and where the farmer has invested in boring a tubewell. Siwana is one such part of Barmer where this holds true. Located in the rain shadow of a fascinating hill range, Siwana has long experienced good rains. Since good rains build up subsoil water, this has resulted in the expansion of tubewells. Proliferation, in fact, would not be an inaccurate term to use since too many tubewells, and insufficient rainfall, makes for a very dangerous combination. This is what has been happening for the past few years. As a result, the water table has been dropping alarmingly. Since the table is very low, the farmer needs more electricity for pumping water out. Diesel water pumps are out now since the costing per unit of electricity and litre of diesel changes the whole economic equation. He needs the electricity, desperately, and on time. This is precisely what has not been happening in Barmer. So, when the rains fail, the electricity supply is insufficient and the farmer has taken a loan to dig and prepare his tubewell, there is an explosive combination of need, trepidation and anger. The corruption of the electricity board is, of course, the most catalytic element in this combustible situation. And a combustion there was, in Siwana.

The elements of explosion were in place when an electricity board official started fiddling with the supply, the connections, as also the bills. Many had taken loans to pay the deposit money for the electricity connection, but he would give it to somebody who paid the right price. Then he would divert the supply to where he had been better looked after and he would also tamper with bills so as to make up for the shortfall in revenue of his department, obviously caused by his corrupt ways. Terrible thing to say, but he was asking for it when he indulged in all this during a drought year.

So, passions naturally ran high and tempers ran even higher. As a consequence, this slightly built man was roughed up in his office. Not a nice thing to happen, but it happened, and his linemen compounded it by putting false names in the most important document in the country-the First Information Report. Some of the names in the fir were people I knew, and trusted them when they claimed that they were not present at the time of the incident. It turned out that the linemen had included names of those who didn't treat them well!

Nemi Chand was made the presiding leader of the dharna that we organised in front of the tehsil courts. Moolji organised the tents and by the next afternoon we had quite a multitude stretching from the tehsil to the panchayat samiti and the police thana. While we were completely peaceful, the state government was not. What with some local elections due soon, the state machinery was very keen to have this matter resolved fast. The collector called from Barmer and dispatched the Balotra-based sub-divisional magistrate. He pleaded, gave assurances along with the many teas that he provided us. But we held out, since the sdm's assurances mean nothing to that fir hanging over all heads. Just as well, for the electricity board sent out one of their big officers.

"The state electricity board takes this matter very seriously," he told us. "One of our officials has been roughed up and now refuses to return to duty. You will have to cooperate with us if we are to have a peaceful working environment here." Good opening remarks, which we could not fault. But then we too had some cards up our sleeves, and the ace was of course the dharna itself. 'We agree with your sentiments but your official had been harassing our members, and has recorded false names in the fir. Until he removes the names we are in no mood to budge from here,' was the position we took. I suppose that was the opening they were looking for, since that would ensure their credibility as well. We too were under pressure from within. Since sowing was over, the crops were in danger of drying up if not watered soon. Every day was critical and we couldn't hope to hold out for ever. The fir offer we made was grabbed and I was given the responsibility of explaining it to the farmers on dharna. I said: "The laws have been made to keep all sections of society safe and secure. It would not be in our interest to be seen protecting lawbreakers for ultimately they will break our society as well. As a compromise I have suggested that we give the police full liberty to investigate and book those responsible for the violence, but first the names of the innocents in the fir be dropped." It worked and we had a deal on our hands. The fir was changed, the electricity board made a commitment of nine hours supply per day and promised to reopen the connections files. Winners were on both sides and Nemi Chand hosted everyone at his farm to the best dish of fresh haldi I have ever had. Made the success so much more memorable.

( The writer stood for elections as the BJP candidate in Barmer, Rajasthan. He is presently working full-time in the constituency and will be writing a fortnightly column on life and development issues in Barmer. )