Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)
Sullia, Apr 9: A person from here wanted to convey information about the death of a local to some relatives. He found to his dismay that there was no mobile signal. He then went to the telephone exchange with diesel. With this diesel, the generator of the telephone exchange was operated. With this, the person began to get mobile signal, with the help of which he could pass on information about the death to his relative.
This incident happened in Kalmakaru village in the taluk.
Venkataramana, resident of Kinnana House in Kalmakaru village, had died two days back due to ill health. His family wanted to convey this information to others, but it was found to the family's dismay that the cell phone was not functional as the there was no mobile signal. This village is served by only one cell phone operator, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) which is owned by the government. Monappa, a local, got to know that the mobile signal was not in operation as the generator of the BSNL did not have diesel. He went to the office with diesel, poured diesel into the generator, and saw to it that the generator was operated. He then began to get signal, following which he could inform relatives about Venkataramana's death.
People of various villages like Kollamogru, Harihara Pallathadka, Balugodu, Nadugal, Yenekallu, Kalmakaru, Madappady etc are totally dependent on BSNL for mobile phone services. Although there is BSNL mobile tower in the region, many a time it does not function properly. Whenever power goes off, the generator of BSNL is not operated for want of fuel. It is said that because of losses, the company has not been able to buy diesel for its generators.
People who are entirely dependent on BSNL for cell phone services are suffering as a result. Recently the people had come together to hold a protest against this pathetic state of affairs, but on account of tahsildar's intervention, the plan was shelved. He had then called meeting of officials of Mangalore Electricity Supply Company and BSNL in a bid to find a solution to this problem and instructed them to see that emergency services are always available. It is said that he had also warned that the officials will face punishment if there are complaints from the general public. But the locals say that there has not been any positive effect on the functioning of BSNL or its officials. They have demanded to act against those officials who are responsible for the current situation.
It is said that the local people have proposed to install a donation box in order for the people to contribute towards diesel cost so that BSNL would be able to start the generator whenever electricity supply goes off by using money collected in the box.