Bhaderwah: Residents of about a dozen villages in Doda district have alleged that they are living without electricity even 68 years after Independence and there has been no progress on the ground despite allocation of funds by the Centre a few years ago.
"India became independent 68 years ago, but still more than 12 villages of Kahara tehsil of Doda district are without electricity," a resident of Bagaran village, Atta Mohammad said.
The residents here say that Centre claims to have provided adequate funds to all states in accordance with Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, but the state government has so far failed to provide electricity to these villages.
The villages which are without electricity are Draman, Bagdan, Upper Tanta, Wani Pura, Khuthal, Ganori, Draman Pain, Kushar Thawa and Magray Mohalla.
"In 2012, electric polls and transformers were installed in Kushar Thawa under Centrally-sponsored schemes, but three years have passed and there has been no progress," a local Bilal Wani said.
The residents of these villages say that they have been facing multiple problems in absence of electricity.
"Even in the 21st century, the students of these villages are forced to use candles to prepare for their exams. The government should listen to our woes and provide us with electricity at an earliest," Parvez, a student, said.
Mohammad Ramzan, Sarpanch of Tanta said despite several pleas to political representatives and civil administration, nothing has been done to provide electricity to their village.
When contacted, Superintendent Engineer, Maintenance and Rural Electrification, Chenab Valley, Nasib Singh assured that an inquiry would be conducted into the allegations levelled by the villagers.
"I will initiate an inquiry and will be able to comment on it after I get the report. It is true that huge sum of money has been sanctioned under various Centrally-sponsored schemes for the electrification of these villages," Singh said.
