78 years after Independence, tribals in remote part of Rajasthan's Baran district get electricity connections

A remote hilly area in Baran district in Rajasthan received electricity connections for the first time, 78 years after Independence.

The long wait for electricity for around 200 people of the Sahariya tribe living in 40 houses, 3 km off Sanvara village and 175 km from the district headquarters, was finally over on June 30, officials said.

Now, Baran district has achieved 100 per cent electricity connection, district collector Rohitashva Singh Tomar said on Thursday.


The work was done within 20-25 days of receiving the grievance from people during a 'ratri chopal' (night meeting) last month, he said.

This was a "remarkable example of quick resolution of public issues", the collector said.

"People in the entire village are elated and in high spirits now that their nights are lit up. The electricity has eventually reached the village after a decades-long," said Arun Sahariya, grandson of Badri Sahariya.

Badri Sahariya, a former sarpanch and other locals raised the matter during the night 'ratri chopal'.

Sahariyas are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVGT).

During the 'Ratri Chopal' on May 23, Badri Sahariya informed the district collector that 40 families of the Sahariya community do not have electricity and have been living in darkness for years.

The district collector inspected the site the next day and instructed Superintendent Engineer N M Bilotia to conduct a survey and complete the electrification work within 15 days.

Bilotia, with help from other departments, completed the exercise in around 20-25 days.

Bilotia said approximately 2 km of 11 kV line, 1 km of low-tension line, 2 single-phase lines, 25 kV transformers, and 38 new electric poles were installed. The entire work was carried out on rocky and hilly terrain.

Under PM-JANMAN, or Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, the Sahariya families have also received the government nod for permanent houses.

PM-JANMAN caters to improving the socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.