ACHHAM, April 29 -- The locals of Ward 1 and 2 of Mangalsain Municipality, Achham, have a long-held dream of lighting up their houses with electricity. But recent development, or lack thereof, of the power line expansion work initiated a year and a half ago in the area has forced locals to live in darkness till this day.

The power line expansion was expected to provide electricity to around 600 households in wards 1 and 2 in Mangalsain. But the work is still incomplete owing to the sheer negligence of the contractor in-charge and the indifference of the people's representatives and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) towards the needs of the locals.

The electricity poles that should be supplying electricity have been built with little to ...