Prithla segment a victim of neglect, poor development

This rural segment which comprises over 100 villages is in dire need of job opportunities for its youth, who are left with little option but to leave for greener pastures. Bijendra Ahlawat reports

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Prithla is a rural segment comprising 104 villages. It became an Assembly seat in 2009, and has had two MLAs so far. Named after Prithla, the largest village located close to the National Highway-19 that connects Faridabad with Mathura, the segment’s location is considered strategic as it has the potential of developing into a major hub of industrial and commercial activities in the National Capital Region. 

In 2009, Raghubir Tewatia of the Congress won by defeating Tek Chand Sharma of the BSP by a margin of 3,155 votes, while in 2014 Sharma won by 1,179 votes.

However, Sharma remained aligned with the BJP government, and joined the party formally recently. Sharma claimed that his motive to support the BJP government was to get adequate funds for speedy development of the area. Declaring that he had been successful in his target, he said he would contest the elections only if he would get a ticket from the BJP.

“The region has been a victim of slow pace of development and the residents, especially farmers, have to suffer shortage of water,” said Satpal Vashist, an advocate residing in Baghola village. 

Citing inadequate health care and educational infrastructure, Prahlad of Atali village said students had to move to other parts of the state or New Delhi to pursue higher studies and find employment. The area also lacks a good veterinary hospital for cattle despite the region having a number of dairies, he said.

“Besides the need for more avenues of employment, the poor transport, broken roads and the bad condition of government schools are some of the nagging problems,” said Gopal from Deeg village.

Legislatorspeak 

Funds to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore have been spent. The welfare works completed or taken up include Ranney well water augmentation scheme for 45 villages, 220 KV power substation, three ITIs, two colleges and 41 new roads. As many as 35 villages enjoy PNG supply. — Tek Chand Sharma, BJP

Oppositionspeak 

All claims of development are fake as no new major project has been set up. While the demand for railway overbridges has been ignored, farmers have been awaiting the enhanced compensation for the land acquired by the government a few years ago. — Raghubir Tewatia, ex-MLA, Congress

Incumbent MLA: Tek Chand Sharma (BSP, now with BJP)

Probable candidates 

BJP: Tek Chand Sharma, Nayan Pal Rawat, Sohan Pal Chhokar 

Congress: Raghubir Tewatia, Rakesh Tanwar

Total voters 1,86,469 

1,01,241 Men

85,226 Women 

2 Third gender