Pond water overflows, use of funds on renovation work under lens

Abohar, August 29

The stinking water overflowing from the common pond in Dhinganwali village — 26km from Abohar — has not only affected public life but also inundated the foundation stone laid by Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh Musafir ‘Goldy’ for its renovation work.

Sushil Siyag, former president of Sarpanch Union Block, Abohar, raised the issue of water entering houses due to overflowing of the pond today. He also alleged that the funds released by the state government have been siphoned off.

Going live on Facebook, Siyag said the Balluana MLA had laid the foundation stone of the pipeline project to drain the pond but the administration did not get the pond cleaned under the project and used substandard pipes. As soon as the water is released, pipes burst at various places, he said. Due to lack of drainage, the pond overflows. The situation is such that the foundation stone laid for the project has also been submerged.

He alleged that funds received for the pond pipeline were wasted instead of being invested where they were meant to be used. The villagers are now suffering the consequences.

On the request of the people, Siyag visited the pond and went live on his Facebook page. He said most of the ponds in the village were supposed to be cleaned in May or June, but this time it was not done, at least in Dhinganwali. For several years, cleanliness activities have been taking place only on paper and this is why the pond was overflowing.

Demanding a Vigilance inquiry into the quality of the pipeline that has been laid to clean the pond, he said the state government’s claims on weeding out corruption have fallen flat. If a high-level inquiry into development works is carried out during the present regime in rural areas, corrupt people would stand exposed, he added.