Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma undertook an extensive tour of hilly belt of Akhnoor and Sunderbani areas and take stock of people’s problems, especially the drinking water requirements. Since it was the first visit of the Minister after taking over the new assignment, hundreds of people at different places gave him a rousing reception amidst drum beating and slogans in favour of the coalition Government. The Minister addressed large gatherings of people at Chowki-Chowra, Danna-Jalada, Ambi Dhanna, Rah Salyote, Sunderbani and other adjoining areas. He highlighted the programmes and policies of the coalition government.The Minister said that Government was committed to provide improved basic facilities to the people in all the three regions of the State. He asked the people to maintain close coordination with the Government for ensuring overall development.
Maintaining that Government has formulated a comprehensive plan for the development of kandi and hilly areas, the Minister said that these areas will receive focused attention during the remaining period of the coalition Government. To overcome the scarcity of drinking water in the kandi areas, the deep drilling tube-wells will be established at vulnerable areas after proper survey, he added and said that a Committee of engineers has been constituted to find out the viability for establishing the tube-wells as per the requirements. He also directed the engineers to enhance the field visits to address people’s problems on priority.At Chowki Chowra, the Minister directed for immediate renovation of Intake Filtration Plant. He issued instructions to the engineers to complete the on-going water supply schemes in the area in a time bound manner. He directed for making judicious use of funds and ensuring quality of work. He also directed for best upkeep of all schemes and measures to protect all water supply schemes. He also issued instructions for undertaking plantation around the reservoirs and water supply schemes to maintain healthy environment and to keep the water neat and clean near the resources. Asking the Sarpanchs/Panchs to discharge their responsibilities with honesty and utmost care, the Minister maintained that elected representatives have greater responsibilities and they must work hard to fulfill the expectations of the people. He said Government has already taken measures to empower them and efforts are afoot to restore powers to the panchayats as per the Central Panchayati Raj Act after bringing necessary amendment in the State Act.
While interacting with the daily wagers of the PHE, the Minister assured them that their demands for regularization will be looked into sympathetically and Government will take appropriate decision in due course of time. He asked them to discharge their duties with extra zeal and dedication and take care of Government assets for which they are the custodians. He said ground level functionaries have equal responsibilities, adding that without their active involvement the operationalization of water supply schemes is not possible.MLC Mr. Ravinder Sharma, Chief Engineer, PHE, Mr. Ashwani Sharma, SDM, Akhnoor, Mr. Naginder Singh Jamwal and sectoral officers of various departments also accompanied the Minister.