Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 11: Mocking at the claims of Government, Shalpora village in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, is reeling under darkness from last six years in absence of electricity.
While Government schemes such as Deen Dayal Upadhay Gram Jyoti have vision to provide continuous power supply to rural areas, Shalpoora village is still stuck in dark ages. “There has never been electricity in this village. We have suffered from darkness from years,” said Mohammad Sidique, one of the residents of the village.
Because of lack of electricity, livelihoods of people suffer. Most of the people survive on fishing and lack of electricity affects their occupation badly. “Net making is a very delicate process that needs proper light. From net making to tying knots everything is done under kerosene oil lamps,” said Walli Mohammad, a fisherman.
While listing various problems that plague the dark village, he further reveals that many children, unable to study under oil lamps have dropped out of school. “Our children struggle to study under the lamps. The smoke from the firewood also affects their health,” he said.
Executive Engineer Power Development Department (PDD), Fazal Ahmad, said: “No one has ever come to my office from that area with any complaints like this. But I will still look into the matter and every possible help will be provided to the villagers. I will look into the matter. This year also we are electrifying four un-electrified villages under DDUJY and these villages will see light by the end of this year”.
District Commissioner Bandipora, Sajad Ganai said he will take up the matter with the concerned department and look into the issue. “I will look into the matter and send a team to the place and every possible help will be provided to the residents,” the DC added.
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