Almora villagers threaten election boycott over missing water and erratic power supply in Sannen

Residents of Sannen village in Almora district have warned that they will boycott the election if their long-standing water and electricity problems are not resolved. The village falls under Bhikiyasen development block.

The residents have sent a letter to officials seeking approval for the Dhoondhara drinking-water scheme. They have also asked authorities to supply electricity to the village through the Jaalali electricity centre, which they say is about 5 kilometres away.

Villagers said taps were installed under the Har Ghar Nal scheme during 2022-23, but water has still not reached homes. They said the absence of a functioning supply has left the scheme without practical benefit nearly 3 years after the taps were fitted.

Electricity supply is also frequently disrupted, according to the residents. They believe a connection routed from Jaalali through Dhoondhara could provide a quicker solution to the village’s power problem.

Residents demand action beyond assurances

The villagers said they have repeatedly approached departments and sent written complaints over the years. They alleged that officials have offered assurances, but no permanent work has followed. They now want decisions on both demands rather than further promises.

Narendra Singh, president of the Yuva Shakti Samiti in Sannen, said residents had raised the water and electricity issues several times without receiving a lasting solution. He said the community saw an election boycott as its remaining option.

Resident Hem Chandra Pant said taps had been installed under the Har Ghar Nal scheme but had never supplied water. He said linking the village to the natural water source at Dhoondhara could provide a permanent solution.

Another resident, Deep Chandra Dhyani, said the Jaalali electricity centre could help reduce the village’s continuing power difficulties. Pankaj Pant said residents had been visiting government departments for a long time, while work on the ground remained absent.

Resident Digambar Singh Rawat said the shortage of water and electricity was causing hardship and contributing to increased migration from the village. The residents have urged the government to take an immediate decision on both issues.

Officials respond

Tasnim Anwar, sub-divisional officer at Bhikiyasen, said the electricity demand raised by the villagers had been noted. He said necessary action was being taken to examine the possibility of supplying Sannen through the route from the Jaalali electricity centre via Dhoondhara.

Suresh Thakur, executive engineer at the Ranikhet Jal Sansthan, said the drinking-water scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission had been assigned to the Jal Nigam. He said the work could not be completed because the required budget had not been received.

The residents’ warning therefore remains tied to 2 unresolved service issues: a water scheme that has not delivered supply despite installed taps, and unreliable electricity that they want addressed through Jaalali.

Conclusion

Sannen villagers have warned of an election boycott unless authorities act on their demands for the Dhoondhara drinking-water scheme and more reliable electricity through Jaalali. Officials have acknowledged the issues, while the water department has attributed the unfinished work to the absence of budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why have Sannen villagers threatened an election boycott?

They said they will boycott the election if their long-standing water and electricity problems are not resolved.

Q. What water solution are the villagers seeking?

They want the Dhoondhara natural water source to be connected through an approved drinking-water scheme.

Q. When were taps installed in the village?

Taps were installed under the Har Ghar Nal scheme during 2022-23.

Q. Why has the drinking-water work not been completed?

The executive engineer of Ranikhet Jal Sansthan said the work was assigned to the Jal Nigam but could not be completed because the budget had not been received.

Q. How do villagers want the electricity problem addressed?

They want electricity supplied from the Jaalali electricity centre through Dhoondhara, a route they say could help resolve the issue.

Q. What has the electricity official said?

The Bhikiyasen sub-divisional officer said the demand had been noted and that necessary action was being taken to examine the proposed supply route.