Pune, August 23, 2023: A distressing situation has emerged in Pune’s rural areas as over 860 Anganwadis, spread across 13 Talukas, find themselves plunged into darkness due to unpaid electricity bills owed to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Limited (MSEDCL). These Anganwadis have been without power for more than a week, with outstanding bills amounting to Rs 1.33 Crore accumulated over the past three years. The inability to settle these dues, which arose following the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to the disconnection of their electricity supply.
The repercussions of this predicament are felt acutely by both the Anganwadi teachers and the children they serve. The lack of electricity has rendered vital equipment such as computers non-functional, disrupting the educational activities that rely on them. Additionally, the absence of fans in the stifling summer heat has left the children uncomfortable and unable to concentrate.
Many of the affected Anganwadis operate within the community halls of gram panchayats. Initially, the responsibility for settling the electricity bills rested with the concerned gram panchayats. However, due to financial constraints stemming from a lack of funds, these bills have gone unpaid. Consequently, the MSEDCL was compelled to disconnect their electricity connections.
Presently, the Pune Zilla Parishad oversees a total of approximately 4,384 Anganwadis, with 860 of them situated within the community halls of gram panchayats. Representatives from these gram panchayats have expressed their predicament, stating that despite their persistent appeals, they have not received the necessary funds from either the state government or local bodies. The absence of these funds has hindered their ability to make timely payments to the MSEDCL, leading to the unfortunate disconnection of electricity services.
The plight of these Anganwadis brings to light the critical need for sustained financial support for essential services, particularly those catering to the educational and developmental needs of young children. The impact of unpaid electricity bills reverberates throughout the educational ecosystem, underscoring the importance of prompt financial assistance from higher authorities to ensure the smooth functioning of such vital facilities.
