Thursday, January 22, 2009

Phek town irked by irregular power supply

Phek : Since December last, irregularity of  power supply especially during night hours has left citizens  of Phek town with no other option except to complain and resent. 

A student preparing for a forthcoming competitive examination says, “it is extremely disheartening to observe the condition of power supply in this district headquarter town as the power supply is usually cut off abound 5:00 pm, which is the right time for my study.”

He commented that the power department should not ‘take advantage of the situation’ where the public are ‘less verbal in making their complaints’ Rather, he opined, they should act as a ‘strict vigilant dog’ for the welfare of the public.

The chairman of Bethel Colony, Phek town, expressed his desire to seek the department’s clear statement, ‘whether the department at the district-level do their assignment through the proper channel and intimate the same to the general public at the right time.’

He  recollected that ‘before the 2008 general election when Nagaland was under the President’s Rule, the power supply seems to be somehow regular.

Howver, right after the election, when the government assumed power, the power supply in Phek town became irregular.’

The citizens of Phek town are of the view that power-cuts have become a routine. Power is cut  from 5.00.PM onwards, which regularly occurs 3 to 4 times even within 5.00-9.00.PM everyday.

Several student unions in this regard are prepared to agitate including locking up the department’s  office and even beyond if the department does not pay heed. Talking to The Morung Express correspondent, the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) and Phek Students’ Union (PSU)  expressed their displeasure and astonishment over the stated system of power supply during the 62nd CSU general session and PSU golden Jubilee celebration  held at Phek village recently.

CSU leaders  said ‘we were shocked  to see the performance of the Power department for the irregular power supply during the session.’

Urging the department to be sincere in their efforts, the CSU further warned the department that if any eventualities arise, the department shall be held responsible for the whole episode.