People of Duajhar village of Nuapada district blocked the Khariar-Sinapali road for more than six hours on Wednesday demanding replacement of the defunct electric transformer of their village.
“The transformer of the village which caters to the need of about 200 households became defunct on August 10. We had complained about this to the concerned authorities of WESCO Utility, but the officials are not willing to replace the equipment,” said the agitators.
The officials of the WESCO, however, have their reasons for their non-response. “Most of the consumers have not paid their electricity dues and the outstanding dues have increased to more than `10 lakh. Transformer would be replaced if half of the total dues of the village is cleared,” said an official.
However, considering the high amount of the pending electricity dues and a major portion of that being unpaid by Government offices as well as by consumers no more staying in the village, it is unlikely that the present consumers would agree to bear the burden.
“How can we be accountable for the defaultersIJ” ask the consumers who are clearing their dues regularly.
The BDO of Khariar in the meanwhile negotiated with the agitators and assured them that the matter would be resolved after discussion at a higher level.