Bengal family gets electricity after 12 years, 12 days after Janata Darbar plea

A Purulia family received an electricity connection 12 days after approaching Janata Darbar. The intervention ended a 12-year wait that had disrupted daily life and a child's education.After 12 years of darkness, Kalpana Bauri switches on the electricity at her home in Purulia, marking a new beginning for her family following their plea at the Chief Minister's Janata Darbar.For nearly twelve years, the family of bicycle mechanic Krishna Bauri lived in complete darkness despite repeatedly applying for an electricity connection. Their long wait finally came to an end just twelve days after they approached Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's Janata Darbar (Public Grievance Hearing), bringing relief and tears of joy to the family.The incident took place in Laulada village under Puncha Police Station in Purulia district. Krishna Bauri, who earns his livelihood by repairing bicycles, said his family had been deprived of electricity for over a decade due to a land dispute involving neighbouring residents. According to him, a few local residents allegedly prevented the electricity department from providing a power connection to his house.Krishna Bauri further claimed that he had submitted applications on several occasions over the past twelve years and had repeatedly approached the authorities during the previous government's tenure. However, despite his persistent efforts, the issue remained unresolved, and his family continued to live without electricity.Determined to find a solution, Krishna Bauri's wife, Kalpana Bauri, along with their daughter, travelled to Salt Lake, Kolkata, on July 13 to attend the Chief Minister's Janata Darbar. They registered their grievance as Serial No. 34. Although they did not get the opportunity to meet the Chief Minister personally, officials present at the grievance hearing recorded their complaint and assured them that the matter would be taken up on priority. Following the complaint, officials from the Janata Darbar immediately contacted Puncha Police Station and instructed the local administration to examine the matter without delay. Acting on the directions, the Puncha Police, the Puncha Block administration, and officials of the electricity department jointly initiated the process to resolve the long-pending issue.Administrative sources said that on Thursday, both parties involved in the land dispute were called for a hearing in the presence of the concerned officials. After hearing both sides and examining all relevant aspects of the case, the authorities decided that the Bauri family should be provided with an electricity connection. On Friday, officials of the electricity department, accompanied by personnel from Puncha Police Station, reached Krishna Bauri's residence and completed the installation of the electricity connection. For the first time in twelve years, electric lights illuminated the family's home, marking the end of a prolonged period of hardship.The emotional moment brought immense happiness to the family. Krishna Bauri and his family expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the administration, the electricity department, the BJP government, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for ensuring that their long-pending grievance was finally addressed.For the Bauri family, the electricity connection was not just a basic utility but a long-awaited relief after twelve years of darkness. It brought new hope to the family, especially for their children whose education had been affected due to the lack of power at home.Recalling the difficult years, Krishna Bauri said, "We were in a lot of hardship. I have two children, one son and one daughter. My daughter works as a nurse, but my son’s studies were affected. After appearing for the Madhyamik examination, he could not continue his education because there was no electricity facility at our home."Krishna said the family decided to approach the Chief Minister's office after learning about the change in government in West Bengal. "This year, when we came to know that the government had changed in West Bengal, my daughter and my wife went to the Chief Minister's office. After explaining all our problems there, the officials assured them that electricity service would be provided to our home within one week," he said."After the instruction came over the phone from the Chief Minister's Office, the Electricity Department provided electricity to my house within 12 days. My family expresses our heartfelt thanks to the Hon'ble Chief Minister," he added.- EndsWith inputs from Satyajit BanerjeePublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Jul 27, 2026 05:16 IST