Is border town of Karimganj limping towards darkness?

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: This is no doubt puzzling to hear, but the report from the border town of Barak Valley is an indication of it in reality. APDCL on instruction from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has hardened its stand on realising huge outstanding dues from consumers, state and central establishments as well as organisations and firms. Power supply to defaulters is being snapped after due notice.

According to information, Karimganj Municipal Board has on it accumulated bill of Rs 1.5 Crore and despite repeated notices the dues have not been cleared.

Not only is the Damocles' sword hanging over Municipal Board, power lines to households and business houses are being disconnected by APDCL personnel with police and CRPF.

Semi-government and government establishments have been identified and their connections are being snapped for not clearing piled up bills in lakhs of rupees.

On the top as defaulter is municipal board.

An APDCL official without being identified said, "We have to cut the power line on instruction from the higher ups at Dispur. There is no option. Can an organisation work on growing loss of revenues?" The street lights and high beam tower lights have their power supply disconnected.

This is being done in a phase manner and area wise. There can be nothing more disgraceful than this, commented senior journalist Arup Roy. Strangely enough, there is no reaction either from the ruling or the opposition parties. But, there is politics over it.

Former Chairperson of the civic board, Anjana Roy, squarely blamed the Congress which ruled the municipal board for long 10 years and did not care to clear the accumulating electricity bills.

Tapash Purkayastha, president, Block Congress of the town, rubbished her clarification and said, 'Tax payers of the town want light and not lame excuses."

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