Modi’s adopted village in the dark
More than half of the 135 solar streetlights in Varanasi’s Jayapur do not work as their batteries have been stolen
›
About a year ago, batteries of 50 streetlights were stolen... Before any action could be taken, batteries of 30 more streetlights were stolen. I informed the police yet again but to no avail SRINARAYAN PATEL , village head
VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s adopted village Jayapur in Varanasi district has plunged into darkness nearly three years after it was illuminated with solar streetlights.
The reason: At least 80 solar streetlights out of 135 are not functioning as their batteries have been stolen in the last one year. After Modi announced his decision to adopt Jayapur in November 2014, the streetlights were installed in the first half of 2015.
“About a year ago, the batteries of 50 streetlights in the village were stolen. I lodged a written complaint at the police outpost of the village and also informed the Rohania police about the theft,” village head Srinarayan Patel said. “Before any action could be taken, batteries of 30 more streetlights were stolen. I informed the police yet again but to no avail,” he added.
The solar lights were installed by a public sector bank and private firms under their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
New batteries have not been installed since then.
Patel brought the issue to the notice of additional director general (ADG) Vishwajeet Mahapatra who visited the village on Monday to take stock of night patrolling in Jayapur.
The village head informed Mahapatra that he had lodged an FIR in connection with battery theft but no action was taken.
“The thieves have not been identified and the batteries are yet to be recovered. I have reminded the police about it on many occasions,” he said.
Patel also demanded that night patrolling should be increased in the area to check such incidents in future.
Mahapatra instructed the police to ensure proper vigil in the village and directed the in-charge of Jayapur police outpost and Rohania police to work out the case and ensure the arrest of battery thieves.
Jayapur police outpost in charge Shamsher Khan said: “A complaint was filed regarding the theft last year. I was not posted here at the time. On the basis of the complaint lodged last year, I am looking into the matter.”
Later, Mahapatra also visited the Prime Minister’s second adopted village Nagepur and spoke to residents and village head Parasnath Rajbhar.
He asked the villagers to inform the police immediately in case of any law and order issue.
Under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, MPs have to adopt three villages by 2019.