Bissamkatak: Residents of Huruma village, five kilometres from Kankubadi panchayat headquarters in Rayagada district, are yet to reap the benefits of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’, better known as the ‘Soubhagya’ yojana. For over seven decades, the town has been without electricity.
Eight Dongria households, totalling about 35 people, live in the village. Bandhuguda, a neighbouring community, received electricity in October 2018. However, their village, which is only three kilometres distant, is still in the dark.
The residents had seen the Energy department contractor multiple times throughout the construction work for supply of power to Bandhuguda hamlet. They had notified him of their distress. The contractor then informed them that they would be able to use solar energy. The locals eventually realised that they had been duped.
Residents are unable to purchase equipment such as torches due to extreme poverty, and are thus forced to live in darkness.
The locals are currently concerned because it is reported that the scheme has been discontinued.
The residents have urged Energy department officials to visit their village for survey and then take steps to provide electricity.
When contacted, assistant engineer Sibaprasad Lenka said Huruma village was not in the list of beneficiaries. However, other sources said that since the district collector has directed that power supply should be provided to all villages, Huruma village should get first preference.
PNN