Adivasi hamlet in Hooghly receives electricity for first time since Independence
Residents of Chakda village in Tarakeswar block will celebrate Diwali with electric lights under the state government's Hansir Alo scheme.
An Adivasi hamlet in Chakda village, located in the Tarakeswar block of Hooghly, has received electricity connections for the first time since Independence, according to Bhaskar English.
The power was provided to economically disadvantaged families under the state government’s ‘Hansir Alo’ scheme. The electricity department stated that while power lines already passed over the village, the hamlet had not previously received individual connections.
Tarakeswar MLA Santu Pan said he had requested the Chief Minister to provide power to the area and received assurances that the work would be done. He noted that connections were provided within two weeks of his request.
Pan said the residents were happy to receive electricity after decades of deprivation and added that he intends to celebrate Diwali with the villagers this year.
The hamlet, which falls under booth number 160 of the Astara Dattapur gram panchayat, has also been provided with drinking water facilities. Smart meter installation has also commenced in the village.
While the village elected BJP candidate Srikanta Roy in the 2023 panchayat elections, allegations were raised that the hamlet was denied facilities for political reasons. These allegations have not been independently established.