SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Jan 27: Rattled by acute power and water crisis in the district, Dhanbad sadar MLA Raj Sinha today began his 72 hours dharna at Randhir Verma Chowk near collectorate.
Sinha said that people of the coal belt have been plagued by the continuous crisis of power and water supply for the last three months. He said since local administration, officials of concerned departments and state government failed to take notice of problems being faced by people,he had left no other option but to sit on dharna to draw attention.
He threatened to intensify agitation in a new shape if the government does not wake up after 72 hours of dharna.
BJP legislative party leader former CM Babu Lal Marandi, three times Dhanbad MP PN Singh and other MLAs of district are also set to join on dharna today.
BJP MLA said people of the region have perished in ongoing dispute between state government and DVC officials over pending bill payment. “People are facing 15 to 16 hours of load shedding daily. When consumers clear their bill of JBVNL on time why would they face load shedding. It all happens due to the indifferent attitude of the state government,” said Raj Sinha.
Power crisis has appeared in the region as DVC has begun power cuts in its command area of seven districts including Dhanbad, Giridih, Bokaro, Koderma, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Chatra form pending due to Jharkhand government.
Sadar MLA said one month ago he had announced agitation for power, water and cancelled that on assurance of deputy commissioner (DC) to restore the proper supply. The DC also held meetings with concerned department officials but no improvement is seen till date, compelling me to kick start agitation.
Govt has reduced power supply in coal city, says MLA
The BJP MLA alleged that the Hemant Soren government has reduced supply of water in coal city.
“Dhanbad was being supplied 65 MLD (millions of litre per day) daily from Maithon water project to cater drinking requirements for 11 lakhs people of the coal city. But as the Hemant Soren government formed, water supply in coal city was reduced to 40 MLD,” said MLA Raj Sinha.
