TANGEDCO was directed to supply electricity to two settlements--Sembukkarai and Thoomanur. A proposal to bring electricity to the area was submitted to the Government four years ago, according to legislator VC Arukutty, within whose Kavundampalayam constituency the settlements fall. But work was finally initiated only in January this year. There are 200 households in both these settlements but currently only one fourth of the houses here have received power. Ironically over these last few years, the residents have received free mixies, televisions, fans and table top grinders, none of which they could use.

According to reports, the erection of 147 electric poles for a distance of 6.5 km from Mangarai, the nearest electrified village, to the Sembukkarai settlement last month is complete. Further work, which requires setting up 40 poles from Sembukkarai to Thoomanur, which is about 3.5 km further uphill, will be completed in a month. The total project could cost upto Rs 85 lakh.

"We were living in thatched houses with no electricity and roads for a long time now. But after MLA Arukutty came to power, we are seeing changes," says Kanamma, a resident of Sembukkarai. "With electricity now introduced in the village we are hoping that development here is finally underway," she adds.

(With inputs from Sudhakar)