Giridih, May 7: After 40 years of agitation, water and power relief is in sight for Khandoli villagers.

Giridih deputy commissioner Birendra Ram today discussed with department officials ways to provide the promised facilities to the villagers. Ram also met the villagers, who were led by CPI(ML) functionary Rajesh Yadav.

After listening to the grievances of the villagers, the deputy commissioner and other officials promised to fulfil their demands within 15 days.

Villagers of Khandoli, Bengabad and Motileda had started agitating after the Khandoli Dam was constructed in 1965. The administration has set up a water plant at the dam, on the Giridih-Bengabad road, by acquiring land from the villagers.

However, the villagers were not given water and electricity from the dam and their right to produce fish in the dam was revoked, leading to differences with the administration.

Two years ago, the district administration gave a park near the dam on lease to one Pramod Agrawal, who levied Rs 8 as entry fees. This decision, too, did not go down well with the villagers.

Under the banner of CPI(ML), residents of Khandoli had demonstrated several times. Their demands included supply of water and electricity as well as the rights to produce fish. The villagers wanted the park entry fee stopped immediately and their area developed.

“The district administration is investing so much on the development of Khandoli but ignoring the villages living nearby. There is no water supply, road and electricity in our villages though 60 years have passed since Independence,” said Mahesh Das, a resident of Khandoli.