Kupwara, Feb 1: With Jammu and Kashmir government failing to implement the centrally sponsored scheme Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) fully in this frontier district, as many as 6000 households in 153 villages here continue to reel under darkness.
 Sources revealed that the Power Development Corporation had failed to implement the scheme within its stipulated time due to which these villages comprising more than 8000 households continue to remain without power electricity supply.
 “It is quiet unfortunate that in 21st century, we are still living in darkness and have to visit other villages to get our cell phone charged,” said Bagoo Malik, Sarpanch of Manigah-C.
 He said the non-electrification of these villages was taking its toll on the health of students and women folk as the families were using alternate methods to illuminate their houses during the evening and night. 
 “To illuminate our homes and cook food, we still use Kerosene lamps and firewood, which are proving hazardous for the health of our family members. The prevalence of tuberculosis, asthma and different ailments of eyes and lungs has shown a manifold increase in the area,” said Khalil Ahmad of Manigah.
 As many as 153 un-electrified villages of this frontier district are mostly inhabited by the down-trodden Gujjar Tribals and Pahari speaking people.
 Some of the un-electrified villages include Butnard, Grahatnard,  Doben, Sharanth, Kainard, Moori,Taryan, Pashardan- Gagal, Narikoot, Nunwayan, Kothayan, Nardi, Shundi, Narikoot, Dorusa, Dardepora (Satbonya), Monigha, Shalubutta, Takki,  Sonni-wali, Ward Patti, Sirkhaili Patti, Qunshi Patti, Main Patti, Jumma Tari, Glass- Daji, Katari Mohalla, Deader Mohalla, Gurasi Mohalla, Sungapir, Hajinakka, Payer-Patti, Malik-Patti, Birmbal, Subahya, Balya, Bati, Chutwan, Berimbal, Safawali, Kumkaddi, Budinumbal, Kadhama, Bullynard, Golipora, Dardehaji, Rangwar and many habitations of Rajwar, Ramhal. Jummagund, Keran, Karnah and Machil.
 More than eight habitations in Manigah village, which is just six kilometers away from Kupwara district headquarters, are still un-electrified.
 “The inhabitants of these areas also use wood and kerosene lanterns for lighting purposes, which is proving hazardous for their health. Diseases like asthma, tuberculosis, respiratory disorders and eye ailments, are on the rise in these un-electrified villages,” said Shabir Ahmad.
 “The Government of India recently snubbed the state government for its failure to complete rural electrification project within stipulated time,” official sources told Greater Kashmir adding under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, an amount of Rs 821 crores was sanctioned to provide electricity in far off villages. “But the state has failed to achieve the target within the time and has sought two years’ extension in the project,” sources added.
 “The centrally sponsored electrification scheme was sanctioned in April 2005 and it had to be completed in 2010,” sources said adding the state has sought extension on the ground that the actual implementation of the scheme started in 2008 due to the tendering process.
 “The rural electrification project was sanctioned in 2005-06 while it was approved by the Centre in 2008 due to which Jammu and Kashmir government failed to complete the project in time. Now we have completed the fresh survey of the un-electrified villages and accordingly send the proposals to the ministry for approval,” a senior official in Power Development Corporation told Greater Kashmir.
Compiled by Shahid Rafiq

Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST