Dharmanagar | June 4:
Severe mismanagement at the Kadamtala Electricity Office has reportedly led to poor power supply across areas under its jurisdiction, including frequent load-shedding and power outages even at the slightest sign of rain. Complaints by consumers through the office’s helpline often go unanswered, prompting widespread public frustration.
In protest, the Kadamtala-Kurti Block Congress submitted a deputation to the electricity office on Tuesday, raising seven key demands for immediate improvement in power services. When senior manager Dwaipayan Das was found absent from the office, Congress leaders and workers staged a gherao and demonstrated at the premises. The deputation was later submitted to Manager Moti Lal Debnath.
Present during the protest were Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Abdul Basid Choudhury and Block Congress President Manik Lal Das, among others. Speaking to the media, Choudhury expressed frustration over repeated negligence by the department. He pointed out that despite a previous deputation yielding brief improvement, power services have since deteriorated again. As a recent example, he mentioned an unattended fallen power line in Baghun village despite a formal complaint.
Choudhury criticized the absence of the senior manager, stating that he had been informed about the deputation a week in advance. He alleged that Das deliberately avoided the situation by delegating the responsibility to Debnath. The Congress has warned of further agitation, including road blockades and gherao of the senior manager, if tangible steps are not taken soon. “We have no option left but to escalate the movement to protect public interest,” Choudhury said.
When contacted, Senior Manager Dwaipayan Das informed that he is currently in West Bengal for medical reasons. He stated that the department is actively working to improve services, including bringing a 33KV power line from Mission Tilla to Kadamtala via Shanishchhara. He also highlighted infrastructure developments such as the increase in feeders from six to nine and the launch of 100% billing operations.
Das pointed out that only 36% of consumers in the region currently pay their electricity bills, leaving ₹12 crore in unpaid dues across areas like South Kadamtala, Khadimpur, Phulbari, Kurti, and Kathuyachhara. “No one speaks about the outstanding bills,” he added. He urged the public to cooperate with the department by paying dues to help maintain power supply, especially during the monsoon season.
