BERHAMPUR: Two Odisha villages that never saw electricity since Independence, have been electrified albeit, by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
At a time when the State Government has been claiming of actively working towards rural electrification, Madhiakhala and Gudikhola villages of Gajapati district, located on Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, have finally got power supply through solar panels installed by the Andhra Government.
These villages are located under Gangabada panchayat in Raigada block, around 35 km from Gajapati district headquarters. However, there is no direct road from the district headquarters to these villages. Although the villages are located within the Odisha border, one has to walk for 3 km from Gangabada in the district to reach the two villages. While Madhiakhala has a population of 26 families, Gudikhola has 18 families. On the other hand, the Andhra Pradesh Government has constructed a concrete road of 15 km that touch the two villages from Mandasa area, which is 70 km away from Parlakhemundi.
In the absence of an approach road to the villages, Odisha Government officials seldom visit Madhiakhala and Gudikhola. Apparently, the villagers hold Aadhar cards, Voter ID cards and ration cards of both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. In all the government documents issued by Andhra Government, the villages are stated to be under Budharsing panchayat in Mandasa mandalam of Andhra Pradesh. People enjoy benefits from both the governments.
Villagers said they had time and again apprised the State Government of providing electricity to households, but that could not be done till Andhra Pradesh Government intervened. Recently, Andhra Government had constructed some houses under Indira Awas Yojana in the villages but the work was stopped midway for unknown reason.
Receiving information about the solar electrification project by Andhra government in Gajapati villages last week, Gajapati Collector Sudhansumohon Samal directed Paralakhemundi Sub-Collector Anam Charan Patra to inquire into the matter.
The Sub-Collector visited both the villages and verified revenue records and visited the sites where solar panels have been installed.
Later, a team of officials, led by Raigada BDO Nrusingha Charan Sethi also visited the two villages and interacted with the residents. Villagers said the officials inquired about implementation of Odisha Government schemes.