Lay sewer lines in Solan to secure Central funds under Namami Gange scheme: Shimla MP

Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap on Saturday directed officials of the Jal Shakti Department to lay sewer lines in Solan city after completing the required formalities. This would pave the way for securing funds under the centrally-sponsored Namami Gange scheme.

Kashyap chaired a meeting of the district development coordination and monitoring committee and the district mining foundation trust and reviewed the progress of various centrally-sponsored schemes. He also instructed the officials to replace worn-out sewer lines in Solan to help ensure a cleaner city.

Central Government funding for the scheme has been held up and the state has been asked to lay sewer lines first before seeking funds for the construction of sewage disposal plants. Efforts by department officials to obtain funds from the Central Government for both components simultaneously have not materialised.

Kashyap called for the timely completion of government projects so that the beneficiaries could reap their optimum benefits.

He said, “As many as 225 development works have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Of these, 194 works have been completed at a cost of Rs 511.39 crore.”

The MP said, “As many as 101 schemes have been approved under the Jal Jeevan Mission for Solan district and Rs 356 crore is being spent on these projects.”

While 15 farmers have benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, 423 farmers have gained from the National Bamboo Mission.

On job training, he said, “UCO Bank, the lead bank in the district, is providing self-employment training to the youth. As many as 17 training camps have been organised, benefiting 530 youths till October.”

He also provided the details of 71 development works approved under the MP Local Area Development Scheme, of which 41 are in progress. A total of 1,190 houses had been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for 2024-25 and the construction of 520 houses had been completed.

Kashyap urged the officials to submit utilisation certificates for previously completed works to ensure uninterrupted funds. He said, “If any development project has not been initiated due to some reason, its funds should be returned.”

Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi said that the mining fund was helping meet public needs in Assembly constituencies of Solan district, especially Arki. He suggested forming a committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner to purchase drinking water pipes under the district mining foundation trust. He said 93 proposals worth about Rs 31.54 crore had been submitted for the Arki constituency through the fund, and offered suggestions on various issues.

Deputy Commissioner, Solan, Manmohan Sharma assured the minister that the projects would be completed within the stipulated time.