Ganderbal, Feb 15: The inhabitants of Gassi Mohalla near Shallabugh wetland here are up in arms against the authorities for failing to provide them with basic amenities.
 Despite being part of Chief Minister’s constituency, the inhabitants of the village claim that it has never received electricity. 
 The village comprises of about four dozen households, however the successive regimes have failed to provide them with basic amenities. “It is ironical that even in 21st century, we have to use primate methods of lighting including candles and mashaals,” said Shaneena a local.   
 The village Sarpanch Abdul Khaliq Gassi said even the basic infrastructure for electricity has not been provided to the village.
 “There are no electricity wires or transformers here,” he said.
 The locals said they have go to other villages to charge their mobiles. “We have only heard of about centrally sponsored power supply schemes like RGGY and RAPDRP. But they are yet to be implemented in our village,” said Farooq Ahmad a local
 Besides electricity, the village is also devoid of potable drinking water. “Women have to tread almost two kilometres to move to another village to fetch water. There is no water schemes, tube well or hand pump in our area,” said Shafeeqa a local. 
 The villages are sans proper roads. “We face problems to ferry patients particularly expecting mothers, to the hospital. It seems we are living in primitive times,” they added.
 District Development Commissioner Ganderbal, Showkat Ahmad Mir said Government was committed to resolve the problems.
 “I am the first DDC to visit the village. Undoubtedly the village is confronted with a number of problems. A tube well was dug in the village but that it oozed contaminated water. The concerned PDD officials have assured that the electrification of the village will be done within 20 days for which Rs 14 lakh have been released,” the DDC said.
 The DDC said the Executive Director, JKEDA has assured to provide solar lights to the households free of cost.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST