Residents of Baladmari Balarbhita village in lower Assam’s Goalpara district are yet to feel the cool breeze from fans during summer or see the streetlights glow at night despite the presence of several central schemes for rural electrification like Saubhagya or Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.

Villagers said they saw some electric poles and cables being installed a few years back but they did not get any electricity.

Abu Shama, headmaster of Balarbhita LP School, said, “Several electric poles were erected and wires strung to a few posts four years back. My students were elated that they would be able to attend classes under fans during the hot summers like now. However, they are suffering from the heat while attending classes.

“I am surprised by tall claims made by politicians that 100 per cent electrification has been achieved in the country when Balarbhita, which is within 10km of Goalpara town, has not yet received electricity. There are electric poles erected from Aynal Bazar to the school. I wrote several times to the power department for providing connections but didn’t get any response,” he added.

Though there is no television or other digital devices, most of the villagers have mobile phones and have to depend on solar power or go to neighbouring villages to charge them.

“How can the dream of Digital India become possible?” asked Aynal Hoque, a gaon panchayat member.

Baban Kumar Paul, assistant general manager (rural electrification), Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited, said, “The village must have been left out due to the lapses of the previous construction agency, whose contract has been terminated. I assure to take up the issue and provide connections as soon as possible.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared in 2018 that 100 per cent electrification had been achieved in the country. However, according to media reports, 31 million households were without electricity during that time.