Residents near Vandavasi tie torches due to no power connection

With no power connection in their houses, students gather around a fire torch in the colony to study.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The residents of a colony of Irulars, a tribal community, in Thensenthamangalam village near Vandavasi town in Tiruvannamalai, put up fire torches on dimly-lit streets and in newly built houses that did not have electricity connection. The villagers were drawing attention to poor or lack of electricity connections.

Residents said that more than three years ago, officials of Thensenthamangalam village panchayat inspected the area to build free houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission.

₹1.70 lakh alloted

Accordingly, a sum of ₹1.70 lakh was allotted for each beneficiary under the scheme. “Many houses under the scheme were completed in the village. However, we were not provided electricity connection to new houses by Tangedco, citing lame excuses,” said C. Velan, a resident.

The existing street lights are also dim. With no power connection, students in the colony have to study under dim street lights and have to light torches in poles in the houses.

Residents have to travel at least two km to the neighbouring hamlet to charge their mobile phones, emergency lights and other electronic devices every day.

Deposit money

Panchayat officials said that as per norms, the beneficiaries under the free housing scheme should pay a minimum deposit amount of ₹5,100 for each domestic power connection to Tangedco. However, people were unable to pay the minimum deposit required to obtain power connection.

Domestic power supply

Tangedco officials said that taking into account the financial condition of the people, district administration can pay the minimum deposit amount to the State electricity agency to get domestic power connections to beneficiaries.

“As a one-stop measure, the District Collector has the authority to pay a deposit amount for power connections for beneficiaries from the general fund. However, Tangedco cannot provide electricity connections without payment of deposit amount,” said an official.