Elderly Widow Protests Outside Electricity Office in Kendrapara Over Denial of Power Connection

Kendrapara: In a distressing incident, an 86-year-old widow has staged a protest outside a local electricity office in Odisha’s Kendrapara district, alleging prolonged denial of an electricity connection despite repeated appeals.

The woman, identified as Marua Swain from Koilipur village, has been sitting on a dharna in front of the Assistant Engineer’s office under Rajnagar block, accompanied by her widowed daughter and granddaughter. The family has been protesting in the scorching heat after nearly 30 months of unsuccessful attempts to secure a power connection.

According to the family, the electricity department has refused to provide the connection citing pending dues allegedly incurred between 2011 and 2017 in the name of her husband. However, Swain claims that her husband passed away in 2007, raising questions over the validity of the charges.

Frustrated by repeated delays and lack of resolution, the family resorted to the protest to draw attention to their plight. The elderly widow has accused the department of harassment and negligence, stating that despite multiple visits to the office, no concrete action has been taken.

The incident has sparked concerns over administrative accountability and highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in accessing basic services. Authorities have not yet issued any official response to the allegations.