BJP, Cong trade charges over development in Arki

Quote: Locals fume

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“The BJP is misleading the masses. The community health centre, Darlaghat, has not been made functional even two months after its inauguration.” — Jagdish Kumar, a local resident

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, October 20

BJP and the Opposition Congress are trading charges against each other in Arki Assembly segment over the issue of development.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, who campaigned at Arki today, said, “Locals have failed to see their MLA in the past four years. Our nominee Rattan Pal has raised issues of public concern before the government.”

He blamed the Congress for lack of development in Arki. “Though the Congress represented this Assembly segment for years, little development has been done,” he said.

Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Congress state in charge, said, “The healthcare facilities, roads and educational institutes were not being maintained under the BJP regime.” He urged people to vote for Sanjay Awasthy.

The incomplete developmental projects have become a sore point in Arki. There was resentment among locals for failing to make the community health centre, Darlaghat, functional, which was inaugurated by CM Jai Ram Thakur on August 13. Its construction was initiated by the previous Congress government and despite spending Rs 3.15 crore, residents have failed to benefit from it.

Jagdish Kumar, a local resident, said, “The BJP is misleading the masses. The community health centre, Darlaghat, has not been made functional even two months after its inauguration.”

Similarly, a sub-treasury opened at Darlaghat during the previous Congress regime, is being operated from a private building, which lacks facilities. The college at Jai Nagar does not have its own building, while the one at Darlaghat is being run at the national highway, next to a petrol pump. Only arts stream is available in the colleges. Residents said they were skeptical if other announcements made on August 13 would see the light of the day.

The CM had also announced opening of PWD subdivision at Jainagar, Jal Shakti subdivision at Kunihar, patwar circles at Beral and Kunihar, HRTC depot at Arki, upgrading of primary health centres at Darlaghat and Loharghat to community health centres, and health sub-centre, Bagga, to primary health centre. Development of Baridhar as a tourism spot was also announced.