Birni (Giridih), Sept. 3: Being a part of the most famous parliamentary constituency and assembly segments of Koderma and Bagoder, respectively, Birni block is yet to receive electricity even after 59 years of the country’s Independence.

Located around 50 kilometres from district headquarters, Birni block came into existence in 1955-56 and is the only block in the state without power supply.

The block comprises 226 villages and 28 panchayats, with a population of 1,34,472. Not only the villages but the block headquarters, hospital and police stations function in the dark.

Farming being the main occupation, the villagers have to depend on rainfall and wells because of the non-availability of power for irrigation. On being asked who should be held responsible for no power in Birni, the villagers ranked everyone in same grade, be it the local MLA, MP or the government.

“No one has raised the issue in a concrete manner and done anything to bring electricity to Birni, where as neighbouring blocks such as Dhanwar and Saria have power,” Anwar Ansari of Makhmargo village said.

Another villager Mahesh Modi of Chano said, “Five years ago, we were asked to provide at least three consumers but even after giving more than 300 consumers, electricity has not been supplied here.” Local MLA Vinod Singh denied all allegations and told The Telegraph, “Since the last 15 years, from the time of Late Mahendra Singh, the party is doing everything possible to provide electricity in Birni”.

“Six months ago, I had raised the issue in the assembly and the government had assured that electricity would be provided. But like earlier governments, the Munda led government is also playing with the fate of the people,” added Singh.

According to sources, the government has passed the proposal of a power substation in Birni, but deputy commissioner Vinay Kumar Ambusta is not sure whether the work would be completed.