Balasore: Electricity services will not be disconnected due to pending bills, and people will not be harassed during the summer heatwave, as assured by Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo a couple of days ago. However, the situation in RanSahi Panchayat, Balasore district, has been quite the opposite.
Due to power cuts, residents have been unable to pump drinking water, leading to severe distress during the extreme heat. With children’s exams underway, villagers have expressed their frustration over these unannounced power outages. According to locals, electricity bills are usually collected on the 14th and 15th of every month.
After Tata Power took over electricity distribution, it was found that the total outstanding amount in the 7th ward of the panchayat had reached nearly ₹12 lakh. As a result, more than 100 families have been without power for the past six days, struggling in the scorching heat.
Public Outrage Over Sudden Power Cuts
The sudden disconnection of electricity due to pending bills has caused public resentment. Since March 11, the entire 7th ward has been without electricity, leaving residents in distress. Locals claim they have been regularly paying their monthly electricity bills, yet the power cuts occurred due to old dues from the previous distributor, NESCO.
While authorities had previously issued notices regarding pending payments, disconnecting power suddenly without prior warning has been deemed unacceptable by the villagers.
Protests Against the Power Outage
In protest, hundreds of villagers led by local youth leader Chandan Mallik blocked the main road and staged a demonstration against the government and district administration for allowing power
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