Why no electrification of village 70 yrs after independence, asks BJP MLA

BHOPAL: Congress and BJP legislators came down heavily on minister for energy Paras Jain during the Question Hour on Tuesday. BJP MLA Ramesh Dubey openly alleged that 70 years after Independence a tribal village in his constituency, Tekapar, is still under darkness.
He said that since 2004, he has been regularly writing to both the state energy department and the SC/St welfare department for electrification of the village.Yet, 12 years later the government has still not taken note of the grim situation.
Dubey said that he last wrote a letter to the energy department on September 26 this year. "There has only been exchange of letters and nothing has materialised on the ground," he told the House.
In reply Paras Jain said that the village was brought under the non-conventional power scheme in 1994. But now the solar panels are no longer working and hence, the village has no electricity. The minister said that work will be initiated in Tekapar village in Bichhua development block and repairs will be done.
In another question, Congress MLA Umang Singhar asked how many villages in Gandhwani, Baag and Tirla blocks in Dhar will be electrified under the 12th phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran Yojana.
Paras Jain said that there are 155 villages under the proposed plan but only those with a population of 100 and more will be electrified. He also said that Gandhwani has 99 such villages; Baag has 49 and Tirla the remaining 7. Of these, electrification work has been completed in six villages. Under attack from MLAs, the minister admitted that work has been delayed because of a lackadaisical contractor. "The contractor has been penalised," Paras Jain explained.
Umang Singhar said, "I am aware that not all villages and `majratola' will get electricity but at least specify the criteria to choose a hamlet for electrification." Paras jain said population was the only criteria. Asked how long it will take for the electrification of the dark villages, Jain said, "There are many villages. This will take time."
Paras Jain again came under attack when BJP MLA Narayan Singh Pawar said that two villages in Biaora in Rajgarh have a tremendous voltage problem. He said farmers in village Sanwasi and Agar are facing difficulties because the voltage is perpetually low.