Nagpur: A 47-year-old single mother, who had to bear with darkness at her modest home in Chinchbhuvan for two-and-a-half months, finally got an electricity meter installed on Sunday, courtesy the help extended by the Beltarodi police station. Beltarodi police had taken up the plea from Surekha Masram for grievance redressal among other complaints on Saturday. Surekha, a domestic help, raised her daughter single-handedly after being driven out of the family home by her husband’s relatives.
Surekha now lives in a small hut. When she applied for a power connection, the state electricity department refused, citing an ongoing property dispute and demanding a court order. Surekha approached the court, which ruled in her favour and directed the department to provide the meter.Electricity officials reportedly delayed the process fearing resistance from Surekha’s estranged family members, said sources. Without power, Surekha faced hardships and her daughter couldn’t study in the night in absence of proper lighting.The breakthrough came during ‘Grievance Redressal Day’ (Takraar Nivaaran Din) held at Beltarodi Police Station on Saturday. Organised on instructions of CP Ravinder Singal, the event was chaired by DCP (Zone-4) Rashmitha Rao and conducted in presence of senior police inspector Mukund Kawade.“Among the 23 complaints addressed that day, Surekha’s plea stood out. While most grievances involved disputes, counselling, or legal actions, she simply sought police assistance to enforce court order and ensure safe meter installation,” Kawade said. DCP Rao instructed officials to depute a beat constable to accompany Surekha, provide necessary protection, and coordinate with the electricity department officials.Among the complaints addresses included one forwarded from the chief minister’s Office, two from the guardian minister’s office, 11 from the CP’s office, and nine registered locally at the station. After detailed hearings and enquiries, police initiated appropriate actions — from counselling and mutual compromises to legal steps.
