DY CM'S SANGAT DARSHAN - Panchayats get ‘meagre’ grant, bigger promises
Friday, 22/01/2016
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Faridkot: Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal today said the state government would spend Rs6,000 crore on the development of rural areas and Rs4,000 crore on urban in one year.
Sukhbir held his first sangat darshan programme in Jaitu and Bajakhana towns of the district in five years.
The Deputy CM distributed grant worth Rs7.5 crore to around 80 panchayats that came out to Rs9 lakh per village.
For drainage system and other works, almost every panchayat had demanded at least Rs50 lakh. But they got little grant and the promise of Rs6,000 crore spending on the development of villages.
In the sangat darshan, there was less sangat (public) and more sarpanches and panches. Almost all chairs meant for public remained unoccupied. Sukhbir said the sangat darshan was a platform for a direct interaction with the people to solve their problems.
The Deputy CM also announced a special grant of Rs36 lakh to the Jaito Municipal Council for development works. He said Rs40 crore was sanctioned for sewerage, water supply, drains and streetlights in Jaito. He said tenders had been called and the work would begin next month.
Sarpanch of Karirwali village Harcharan Singh Baath reminded Sukhbir of a 15-year-old unfulfilled promise. He told him the village middle school was not upgraded even as the foundation stone was laid by then education minister Tota Singh in 2001. Sukhbir assured the sarpanch to resolve the matter at the earliest.
