KISHORI LAL BAINS
Shri Chintpurni (UNA): Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Saturday inaugurated a Rs 4.15 crore lift drinking water scheme at Behar Jaswan under the Shri Chintpurni Assembly constituency in Una district. The scheme will provide improved drinking water supply to a population of about 2,700 across seven villages falling under Behar Jaswan and Tyai panchayats, including Bagru, Ghungrala, Ladyal Chuk, Basuni, Dhar Gujran, Tyai and Girgird.
The Deputy Chief Minister announced that the scheme will be named after late Hansraj Akrot, a senior social worker and former MLA of Shri Chintpurni in 1977 and 1982, in recognition of his contribution to social service and regional development. The proposal was made by local MLA Sudarshan Singh Bablu.
Agnihotri said that works worth Rs 1,000 crore related to drinking water, irrigation and river embankment are currently underway in Una district. Over the past three years, projects worth Rs 100 crore have already been completed in the Shri Chintpurni Assembly constituency and dedicated to the public, while another Rs 100 crore worth of works under the Jal Shakti Department are in the final stage and are expected to be completed within a month.
He detailed several ongoing and completed projects, including a Rs 16 crore sewerage system in Shri Chintpurni, Rs 12 crore drinking water scheme in Shri Chintpurni, Rs 16 crore Sohari Takoli drinking water scheme, Rs 6 crore Ambehra Dheeraj drinking water scheme, Rs 8.5 crore Amb drinking water scheme under the AMRUT mission, Rs 4 crore sewerage scheme in Amb, Saloi lift drinking water scheme, Rs 12 crore irrigation distribution network from the Sohari Takoli dam, Rs 12 crore irrigation scheme under NABARD and Rs 7 crore embankment works in the Amb area.
To strengthen irrigation facilities in the constituency, the Deputy Chief Minister announced an allocation of Rs 1 crore for the construction and maintenance of tubewells in agricultural fields. He said the government’s agenda is “water to every field and tap water to every home,” adding that adequate drinking water supply will also be ensured at public places, including schools and cremation grounds.
Referring to the High Court’s stay on the utilisation of temple funds, Agnihotri said the state government will file a review petition, as its position may not have been fully presented before the court. He said the court will be informed that temple funds are used for public welfare activities such as education of the poor, medical treatment and overall development of villages.
He emphasised that there should be no laxity in development works, stating that development is the sole mantra, and that service to the poor and continuous public engagement keep an elected representative relevant. He added that Una district is known by the name of Mata Shri Chintpurni and that devotees from across the country and abroad have deep faith in Shri Chintpurni Dham.
MLA Sudarshan Singh Bablu expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for completing Jal Shakti Department works worth Rs 100 crore in the Amb Assembly segment over the last three years. He said another Rs 100 crore worth of projects are proposed in the coming period to further strengthen infrastructure in the area. He also highlighted upcoming works, including a Rs 4.5 crore Mata Ka Bagh water scheme, a Rs 23 crore sewerage project in Shri Chintpurni and construction of a modern OPD block at Amb hospital at a cost of Rs 9.50 crore. He thanked the Deputy Chief Minister for releasing the first instalment of Rs 3.50 crore for the hospital project.
Panchayat Samiti member Rajpal Sharma welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and placed village demands before him. District Congress president Deshraj Gautam, Block Congress president Dr Ravindra Sharma and other representatives were present on the occasion.