THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
SAMBALPUR, APRIL 4, 2026
In a development that
has triggered public outrage, electricity supply to the Themra Community Health
Centre (CHC) in Odisha’s Sambalpur district was disconnected by the discom TP Western Odisha Distribution Ltd. (TPWODL) on Saturday over non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 1.56 lakh. The
action by the private power distribution company has raised serious concerns
about the continuity of essential healthcare services and the impact on
vulnerable patients.
According to reports,
the CHC authorities had pending electricity bills totalling Rs 1.56 lakh,
following which the discom initiated punitive measures and snapped the power
supply. The sudden disruption caused significant inconvenience to patients
undergoing treatment and their attendants, affecting normal functioning of the
health facility.
The incident soon
escalated into public protest as locals, along with members of Bhim Army,
staged a road blockade condemning the disconnection of electricity to a
government healthcare institution. Protesters demanded immediate restoration of
power supply, highlighting that essential services such as hospitals should not
be subjected to disruption due to administrative lapses.
The episode has once
again brought attention to the need for better coordination between government
institutions and utility providers to ensure uninterrupted public services,
particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.
