Rae Bareli traders protest against power cuts on Sonia's visit

With a view to drawing attention of their MP Sonia Gandhi to frequent power cuts, local traders organised closure of business establishments in the districts till 1300 hours today.

The closure coincided with Gandhi's visit to her constituency, the first after the UPA returned to power at the centre.

All petrol pumps and major shops in the city remained closed following the call given by the traders who claimed that the district was getting electricity for even less than 12 hours a day against round-the-clock supply during Lok Sabha polls.

"The entire district is witnessing unscheduled power cuts, besides a routine cut from 5 AM to 10 AM and then again from 3 PM to 8 PM," Surendra Yadav, a local said adding the traders have requested Congress leaders to take up the matter with Gandhi.