'BSP' factor devastating marital life in Bundelkhand

Tikamgarh, MP, July 1 (UNI) After impacting the political equations in Madhya Pradesh, the much trumpeted Bijli-Sadak-Pani(BSP) factor is playing havoc with the marital lives of several men in Bundelkhand as they are being deserted by their wives due to lack of basic facilities in the region.

''Bijli-Sadak-Pani'' were considered the crucial issues that changed the political fortunes of the BJP in the 2003 election, ousting the Congress from power after a decade.

The same issues are now dooming the family life of many with about a dozen women deserting their husbands in a small village in Bundelkhand region's Tikamgarh district.

At Digora village, inhabited mainly by tribals and ''Dheemar'' fishermen community with a total population of 550, desertions by about a dozen women in recent years were considered on a higher scale.

Shankar Raikwar (23), who married twice, is still living in constant fear as his first wife Kallubai had abandoned him because his village did not have electricity and road facilities. He is apprehensive that his second wife Kashibai would also leave him as basic amenities are still lacking and the problem of drinking water is perennial.

Similarly, Kallu Kewat's wife also left him. Though remarried, he is living in tension due to the ''changing moods'' of his new bride in the absence of power and roads. ''There are no roads or other development works in the village,'' Sarpanch Tutubai Balmiki said, adding that many proposals had been sent to the Electricity Board and administration but to no avail.

Central East Distribution Company Divisional Engineer V K Singh said at least Rs 10 lakh was needed to electrify Digora village but the company could not start work without government sanction.

''There are about 50 such villages which have no electricity supply,'' he said.

Baldevgarh Janpad Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Fateh Singh Shrivastav said despite reminders, the officer concerned was yet to prepare the estimate for road construction. ''Disciplinary action would be taken against him. It is proposed to construct a link road,'' he added.

UNI XC-KV SP RR ND1608