In the wake of the panchayat elections scheduled for next month, a visit to a village in South 24-Parganas will acquaint one with the picture of neglect. "If we boycott the vote, can we get electricity and a crematorium next year?' asked Mr Uttam Munda, who lives in Kumarpukur village under Kheyada I gram panchayat. Nearly 150 families have been living in the village without electricity for the last 20 years. Kumarpukur is one of the most backward villages in South 24-Parganas. The village is largely inhabited by Adivasis. Developmental activities are few and far between for these people who are struggling for their existence. A concrete bridge over a narrow channel of water was the only construction work carried out by the panchayat in the last five years. Mr Badiya Munda, an elected members of the village panchayat, told The Statesman that the villagers are living in Zamindar's estate for the last 40 years. During the period of operation Barga they wanted to record their names as the title holders. But the state government denied them the right to land ownership. Agriculture is their only means of livelihood. They depend on rain water as there is no irrigation facility. "If we get electricity we can use a pump machine for agriculture,' said Mr Munda. In the absence of the solid waste disposal arrangement the villagers relieve themselves in the open air. During the hot summer days, there is acute scarcity of drinking water too. One of the three tube wells installed with the MLA's fund by Mr Nirmal Mondal are lying defunct. And the story just doesn't end here. The much vaunted 100 days work under the NREGA was expected to be a new horizon in the life of these people. But, the Adivasis said they only got 30 to 35 days work. They said they are forced to eat weeds for their existence during September-October. They do not get food items through the ration shop on a regular basis. A cremation ground has been a long-standing demand, but that is yet to be fulfilled. The deceased are buried locally in the village. Mr Siraj Khan, a representative of Sonarpur panchayat samiti, said they had spent a lot of money for development of Kumarpukur. He said it was the custom of Adivasi people to bury the dead bodies locally. He also referred to the frequent theft of electrical wires as the reason why Kumarpukur is lying in the grip of darkness. Will this panchayat election change things around?