KHOTANG: At a time when a majority of cities and towns across the country are bearing the brunt of more than nine hours of power cut daily, a dozen villages in Khotang district have been supplied electricity around the clock.

The villagers, aided by Village Development Committees, the District Development Committee and other donors, have developed hydroelectricity plants at local streams. Households now have computers, TVs and cable networks. Using Internet has been the local youth’s favourite pastime.

Communities in Sapteshwor have generated 21 kilowatt of electricity from Tapkhola for use of 526 houses in Sapteshwor and Jalapa VDCs. Danida contributed Rs 1.8 million, the DDC Rs 0.5 million while local communities chipped in Rs 0.7 million for the project. Rice mills have also been set up with the power.

Janahit Youth Society now provides cable network service. Jalapa Higher Secondary School, Jyoti Primary School and Bhumeshwor Primary School in Jalapa VDC; Tharpudanda Secondary School in Sapteshwor VDC, Dhiplung

Secondary School in Chhitapokhari VDC and Chisapani Higher

Secondary School in Chisapani VDC have started teaching computer education.

In Chisapani VDC, 15 KW

has been generated from the Dobhane Khola with a cost of Rs 1.7 million, contributed between Rs 3 to 16 thousands from each of the 85 families.

Ninety households in Dandagaun, Yambo and Batung villages in Mouwabote VDC have been benefited from the 10 KW electricity generated from Dublu Khola with the total cost of Rs 1 million.

Communities in Temma VDC have also produced 6 KW of electricity from Dhiplung Khola at the total cost of Rs 0.5 milion. The power

has been shared by 49 households of Malbase, Ahale and Dandakharka villages.

The communities in Semma and Khiroula have also produced 10 KW of electricity. According to Surya Rai, a local, the hydro project cost them Rs 7.2 million, donated by Caduri, a Briton.