Solan Zila Parishad’s last quarterly meeting fails to enthuse members

Eight of the 17 Zila Parishad (ZP) members, including the vice chairperson, skipped the civic body’s quarterly meeting held here today.

This was the last meeting of the five-year term which expires in December. With at least two agendas pertaining to the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation and acquisition of land for laying a road at Jharja in Chail remaining unresolved since 2021, the lack of seriousness of this apex body of the Panchayati Raj system was amply reflected.

Another three agendas dating back to 2022 and nine from 2023 also failed to be resolved, reflecting the callous attitude of the officials. These agendas comprise key public issues related to roads, electricity, Jal Shakti Department and transport. At this pace, one could little expect that the remaining agendas pertaining to people’s problems listed in 2024 and 2025 could have been resolved thus proving the ineffectiveness.

Solan ZP Chairman Ramesh Thakur, who presided over the meeting, requested the members and staff of various departments to establish better coordination and speed up developmental works. “The pending agendas should be resolved at the earliest to provide basic facilities to the people. Development is a continuous process and everyone’s cooperation can ensure timely completion of works,” he stressed.

Officials said that, under the 15th Finance Commission, work related to the construction of toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission was in progress and three toilets had been constructed.

The meeting pondered over the issue of plying of the HRTC buses on various routes besides their extension to facilitate the residents of far-flung villages. Officials assured the members that the new buses when available would ply on requisite routes.

Officials were directed to ensure repair of damaged roads and drinking water schemes which were affected due to the heavy monsoon rains.

In the meeting, the officials of the Public Works Department apprised the Thakur about the condition of the roads coming under Chandi subdivision. He said that out of 15 roads of in the subdivision, 14 had been restored for buses and the remaining one would be restored soon. Solan Additional Deputy Commissioner assured that the district administration, by coordinating with the elected representatives, was striving for redressal of public problems.

The meeting discussed 30 old and four new agendas. Details of income and expenditure from May to October were placed before the members.