Modi’s dream of Model Village still a distant dream in Andaman Lack of basic amenities hits Diglipur’s Adarsh Gram Hard

DJ Venkatesh

Diglipur, March 31: Adopted under one of most touted schemes of the Central Government, villagers of Adarsh Gram, Ramnagar in Diglipur, North Andaman, continue to endure with lack of basic amenities.

According to reports, the village lacks piped drinking water for households, adequate power supply and even proper motorable roads. To ensure effective implementation of developmental schemes, the administration failed to appoint a Panchayat Secretary for the village even after six months of the local body elections.

Initially upbeat after Ramnagar was adopted under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, villagers now allege that not a single developmental project has been executed in the village let alone providing basic civic amenities.

“More than six months has passed since the Panchayat elections, but not a single development work has been completed in our village. We’re promised better days after the village was adopted under the government scheme. But sadly nothing has happened on ground,” says a Ramnagar villager.

“Some households in this village have pipeline connections. But water supply remains irregular. People travel several distances to collect potable water from various sources. Some houses in the village even don’t have electricity connections. The Administration committed to develop tourism in this part of Diglipur, but not a single project has been initiated till date,” say some others.

Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Ramnagar, Mr Swapan Biswas said that several road projects for the village were initiated; but due to shortage of funds the projects couldn’t be completed as per schedule.

Absence of a Panchayat Secretary is another major reason behind the execution of developmental projects in this village. The concerns have been brought to the notice of the senior officials of the Administration, the Pradhan said.

The Panchayat Samity member of the area, Mr Jadhav Samaddar called for proper support from the administration for development of Ramnagar village. “A little thrust from administration will do wonders for the village with acceleration of developmental activities,” he said.