... And then there was light

DC inaugurates mini hydro power project in Navoor, a naxal-hit area

The dream of Sadashiva, a Malekudia youth from Navoor in Belthangady taluk, to get electricity to his house could finally see the light of the day, when the mini hydro power project was inaugurated at Ermale in Kuduremukh National Park area on Friday.

If Sadashiva belongs to one such families that eagerly awaited for electricity for decades now, there were four other families in the village which too got the privilege of electricity through the same hydro power project.

One of the assurances of the district administration to provide electricity to the naxal affected areas was materialised with the launching of the mini hydro power project at Navoor.

This hydro power unit set up at a cost of Rs four lakh, is capable of generating five kilowatts of electricity to meet the electricity demands of five houses in Ermale. The power is generated in a small unit using the water that gushes from a nearby stream and would supply electricity 24X7 to these Malekudiya houses.

Speaking after inaugurating the unit, Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda said that the project has been implemented as per the assurance given to the residents during the Janasamparka Sabha that was held at Kolli in Belthangady taluk a month ago.

The district administration is making every effort to bring the families of the naxal affected to the mainstream in the form of providing them with the facilities and employment to the youth.

As per the assurance given earlier, 13 youth from the region have been appointed as teachers in eight government schools, a taxi has been sanctioned by the Tourism Department to boost employment opportunity and the unemployed youth are also recruited for other vacant posts in the public sector, “There would not be any further delay in implementing the developmental project in naxal affected areas.

The implementation process of all the approved projects will begin after August 15. A new bridge will be constructed in place of the damaged bridge at Indabettu and solar lights and hydro electric power projects will be installed under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Scheme,” said the DC.

Inform about naxals

Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal asked the villagers to inform the police about any naxal movements if they find in the region. If anybody visits a house in the naxal affected area and introduces themselves as naxals, do not hesitate to inform the same to the police immediately, he insisted.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr K N Vijayaprakash informed that the RUDSETI run by Dharmasthala Trust has come forward to offer special training to the villagers of the naxal region, in an effort to generate more employment. A proposal of Rs 12 crore developmental work consisting of various departments too has been prepared for the development of naxal affected villages, he said.

Power brings happiness

The happiness of the five families that received electricity through the mini hydro power project knew no bounds on Friday. Speaking to media persons, one of the beneficiaries Sadashiva said that their decades long plea to get power was finally heard.

“We were given solar lights connection two years ago but they stopped functioning a few months back. When we approached the Gram Panchayat to replace or repair the solar lights, we were asked to pay a sum of Rs 3,750 for repairing, which we could not afford to pay.

Since then, we have been using kerosene lamps as we had no other option. We, the youth joined our hands in this effort of bringing hydro electricity to our houses and we are very glad that we succeeded in the attempt,” he said.