Rain leads to power cuts across Dharwad district, officials urged to act

Dharwad: Following recent heavy rain and strong winds, several parts of the district have reported damage to electricity infrastructure, including fallen poles and snapped lines, disrupting power supply. Authorities have been directed to take immediate corrective measures and restore normalcy at the earliest.Speaking at a district-level review meeting of govt guarantee schemes held at the zilla panchayat hall on Tuesday, District Guarantee Implementation Authority chairman SR Patil stressed the need for urgent action. He instructed officials to promptly repair damaged electric poles and lines to prevent inconvenience to the public and ensure that agricultural activities are not affected.Patil also highlighted safety concerns, particularly in schools and anganwadi centres, where exposed or damaged electrical installations could pose risks to children. He directed departments to identify such hazards and either secure or relocate them without delay. Any such issues, he said, must be reported immediately for swift intervention.Emphasising outreach, Patil called for greater awareness of the Yuvanidhi scheme in rural areas. He urged officials to conduct awareness programmes in villages, visit coaching centres, and educate students and youth about the scheme's benefits, eligibility criteria and application process. Local meetings, awareness drives and information camps should be organised to ensure wider reach and participation.ZP CEO Bhuvanesh Patil said that a dedicated Telegram group would be created to disseminate key information, including training schedules, venues, course details and other updates related to the scheme.Officials were also instructed to set up information stalls at public places to guide citizens on the schemes, including benefits, registration procedures and training opportunities. Departments must respond promptly to public queries and ensure the timely dissemination of accurate information.