Haryana govt forwards proposal for Mewat canal to CWC

Mewat, Oct 2 (UNI) Assuring the people of Mewat area of all round development, Haryana Governor A R Kidwai and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced that the proposal to construct the Rs 380 crore Mewat canal had been forwarded to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for approval.

They were speaking at a largely attended state level function organised to mark Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at Ghasera village in Mewat district.

The Governor regretted that although Haryana was now a fast developing state in the country, areas like Mewat were still under- developed. Drawing the attention of the state government towards Gurgaon, Faridabad and Manesar, the adjoining areas around Mewat district, he urged the people to give the best education to their wards and avail of the facilities being provided by the state government and make collective efforts to change the face of these backward areas.

The Governor appreciated that the Neem Khera Gram Panchayat of Mewat area had been honoured by the Chief Minister as all its members and the Sarpanch were women.

The Chief Minister regretted that Mewat had remained a backward area as the previous governments did not pay attention for the all-round development of this area.

Mr Hooda said that work on the Mewat canal would commence as soon as approval was granted by the Central Water Commission. He said that a Rs 425 crore drinking water supply scheme named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had been implemented to benefit 503 villages in the state. He said that the first phase of this scheme costing Rs 258 was in progress and as many as 150 villages would be covered under the scheme by the year 2008.

Mr Hooda said that 50 per cent seats had been reserved for the residents of Mewat in the polytechnics and ITIs of the area.

He also said that Ghasera had been declared as a model village and Rs 6.9 crore would be spent to improve facilities.

The girls primary school in the village would be upgraded and a delivery hut would also be set up at Ghasera. He also announced to open a library named after Mahatma Gandhi in the village.

The President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee Phool Chand Mullana paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri on the occasion of their birthdays.

He appreciated the number of welfare schemes being implemented by the state government.

Chief Secretary Promila Issar and other dignitaries also addressed the gathering.

UNI