Salyan, Jan. 27 -- It has been a year since electricity poles were erected and distribution lines strung across ward 2 of Kumakh Rural Municipality in Salyan, a hill district of Karnali Province, under the government's full electrification drive.

However, the residents of Kharkhola, Barule, Langeta, Narayantakura, Dandakteri and Ratuwachauna settlements are still waiting for power supply. The locals complain that contractor negligence during the line extension work has left six settlements and around 300 households without electricity.

With no grid connection, families continue to rely on solar lamps, kerosene lanterns and torches. The absence of electricity has also disrupted internet services, affecting education, digital payments and...