National Human Rights Commission Intervenes in Koraput's Power Crisis
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a decisive step by directing the Odisha state government to file a formal reply to a serious complaint concerning the complete absence of electricity in 34 villages within the Koraput district. The commission has characterized this situation as a potential violation of fundamental human rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
Commission's Directives and Timeline
Acting on a complaint filed by Jeypore-based human rights activist Anup Kumar Patro, the NHRC has issued specific orders. The commission has mandated the Secretary of the State Energy Department to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within a strict deadline of four weeks. This directive was issued after the NHRC thoroughly examined the complaint on Thursday.
The commission has formally forwarded a copy of the complaint to the state energy department for immediate and appropriate action. Furthermore, the NHRC has made it clear that this matter will be revisited and taken up again after the four-week period, upon receipt of the required report from the authorities.
Details of the Complaint and Affected Areas
The complaint, which references media reports, identifies the affected villages as being located in the Boipariguda block of Koraput district. These villages are distributed across several panchayats, including:
- Tentuligumma
- Bodaput
- Gupteswar
- Majhiguja
- Kathpoda
- Chipakur
- Kalar
Notably, many of these villages are situated along National Highway 326 (NH-326), a major roadway connecting Ranchi in Jharkhand to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Despite their proximity to this significant transport corridor, these communities remain entirely disconnected from the national electricity grid.
Alleged Impact and Constitutional Breach
Activist Anup Kumar Patro has presented a grave picture of the consequences. He alleges that the persistent denial of electricity has caused severe disruption to daily life in the region. This deprivation critically hampers:
- Access to Education: Students are unable to study after dark or use digital learning tools.
- Healthcare Services: Medical facilities and emergency care are compromised without reliable power.
- Livelihood Opportunities: Economic activities and small-scale industries are stifled, affecting local prosperity.
Patro argues that this failure to provide basic infrastructure constitutes a direct breach of the residents' constitutional right to live with dignity. The complaint explicitly seeks directions for the Chief Secretary of Odisha to implement immediate remedial measures and ensure the state fulfills its constitutional obligations towards its rural and tribal populations.
The NHRC's intervention underscores the critical link between basic amenities like electricity and the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, placing significant pressure on the state administration to address this long-standing issue in Koraput.
