ARNIA, Aug 10: Shiv Sena Hindustan J&K President Pandit Rajesh Kesri today held a public meeting with residents of Sher Chakra village, where villagers highlighted the serious problem of frequent and prolonged unscheduled power cuts in the area and adjoining border villages, including Mool Chak, Jagwal and other villages along the International Border.
During the meeting, residents expressed deep concern over the lack of a fixed power-cut schedule, alleging that electricity is often disconnected without prior information and, at times, remains unavailable for nearly five hours at a stretch. They said the prolonged outages are causing considerable hardship to residents, particularly elderly people and children.
The villagers said that the biggest impact of the power crisis is being felt by students, whose education increasingly depends on digital and online learning. They pointed out that students preparing for competitive examinations after Class 12, including engineering, medical and other entrance examinations, often rely on online courses and study material.
Kesri said that students living in the border belt face additional challenges as there are limited private coaching and educational facilities in these areas. Consequently, many students depend on online classes to prepare for competitive examinations.
He further said that economically weaker families cannot afford expensive backup power systems such as inverters. Many families struggle even to purchase smartphones required for online education, often doing so through instalments. In such circumstances, frequent power outages make it extremely difficult for students to attend online classes, access study material and prepare adequately for examinations.
“The future of our young generation cannot be compromised because of an uncertain power supply. Students in border villages deserve the same educational opportunities as students living in urban areas,” Kesri said.He expressed concern that the lack of adequate educational infrastructure and reliable electricity could be one of the factors limiting the participation and success of youth from border areas in competitive examinations and other career opportunities.
Kesri urged the government and concerned Power Department authorities to take immediate cognisance of the issue and ensure a more reliable electricity supply in the border belt.The Shiv Sena Hindustan demanded that a fixed and clearly communicated power-cut schedule be implemented in border villages so that residents, particularly students, know in advance when power interruptions are expected and can plan their studies and other essential activities accordingly.
Kesri stressed that uninterrupted or reasonably scheduled power supply is not merely a civic facility but an important requirement for ensuring equal educational opportunities and protecting the future of students in border areas.Suresh Kumar, Sanjeev Sharma, Balwant Fauji, Darshan Kumar and dozens of villagers were present during the meeting.