Una, July 8:- Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Wednesday launched an Integrated Rural Development Project at Nangal Khurd in Haroli Assembly Constituency with the support of Nestlé India and the S.M. Sehgal Foundation. The project will be implemented in six villages of Haroli Development Block—Nangal Kalan, Nangal Khurd, Gondpur Jaychand, Haroli, Dulehar and Bathri. It aims to promote water conservation, sanitation, agriculture, nutrition, education, school upgradation, skill development and community empowerment. More than 9,000 people across these six villages are expected to benefit from the initiative.
Nestlé India Chairman and Managing Director Manish Tiwary, S.M. Sehgal Foundation Trustee and Chief Executive Officer Anjali Makhija, and Nestlé India Director (Corporate Affairs) Kunwar Himmat Singh were also present on the occasion.
**Bulk Drug Park Will Not Be Slowed by Misinformation
Highlighting the major development projects underway in Haroli, the Deputy Chief Minister said preparations are being made to hold the first groundbreaking ceremony of the ?2,200-crore Bulk Drug Park in September this year.
He directed the Joint Director of Industries to ensure that all arrangements are completed within the stipulated time so that the ceremony is held as scheduled. He informed that tenders worth nearly ?1,000 crore for sewerage, drinking water, boilers and other core infrastructure works have already been floated.
He said some people were spreading misinformation about the ambitious project, but such campaigns would not affect its progress. The state government is committed to implementing the project, which will transform the region and provide a new direction to Himachal Pradesh's industrial development.
**Appeal to Nestlé for Expansion of Tahliwal Unit
The Deputy Chief Minister thanked the Nestlé India management, describing Nestlé as one of the world's leading food and beverage companies with a strong global reputation.
He recalled that when he was Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Housing Board, the land had originally been acquired for a residential colony. However, after a proposal was received to establish the Nestlé plant at Tahliwal, the land was allotted for industrial development. He said that over the past 16 years, the plant has made a significant contribution to industrial growth and employment generation in the region.
Agnihotri urged Nestlé India Chairman and Managing Director Manish Tiwary to expand the Tahliwal unit, expressing his desire that it should become the company's highest-producing manufacturing unit in the country. He assured full support from the state government for the expansion. He also suggested that while maintaining international quality standards, the company's CSR programmes should be designed according to local needs and rural conditions so that they deliver greater benefits to villages.
**CSR Benefits Should First Reach the Local Area
The Deputy Chief Minister said that large industries established in Haroli should give priority to local development under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. He said industries should prosper in the region, and the benefits of CSR should first reach the people living there.
He asked the Industries Department and the Haroli Industrial Association to jointly prepare an action plan to accelerate village development through CSR initiatives based on local requirements.
**Development Is the Identity of Haroli
Agnihotri said that infrastructure in the Haroli Assembly Constituency is being continuously strengthened. Around ?1,000 crore is being spent on drinking water and irrigation projects, while more than 325 tubewells have already been installed.
Sharing details of development works in Tahliwal, he said ?24 crore has been sanctioned for the sewerage project, while the DPR for the drainage project is also being prepared. Several other projects, including the upgradation of the fire station and construction of a new police station building, are also progressing.
**Haroli Equipped with Modern CCTV Surveillance
The Deputy Chief Minister said the entire Haroli Assembly Constituency has been connected through a modern CCTV surveillance network. Around 200 high-tech cameras have been installed at major intersections, road junctions and border areas.
He said the recent arrest of suspects involved in theft cases with the help of CCTV cameras demonstrates the effectiveness of the system. He added that it sends a clear message to anti-social elements that every movement in Haroli is under surveillance and escaping after committing a crime will no longer be possible.
**Nutrition Booklet Released
On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister also released a Nutrition Booklet prepared to spread awareness about nutrition and sanitation.
Nestlé India Chairman and Managing Director Manish Tiwary said rural development is a personal commitment for the company. He said the project would work with women, farmers, youth, teachers and students to bring sustainable improvements in agriculture, nutrition, water conservation, education and skill development.
S.M. Sehgal Foundation Trustee and CEO Anjali Makhija said Nestlé India and the S.M. Sehgal Foundation have been jointly implementing rural development projects across different states since 2019. The initiative will strengthen Village Development Committees while connecting rural communities with government schemes and technical support.
Nestlé India Director (Corporate Affairs, Sustainability and CSR) Kunwar Himmat Singh said strong villages are the foundation of a strong India, and Nestlé India remains committed to the sustainable and inclusive development of rural communities.
Students of Nangal Khurd School presented colourful cultural performances, captivating the audience.
**The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Debika Goswami, representative of the S.M. Sehgal Foundation.
Among those present were Pradesh Congress General Secretary Ranjit Rana, Haroli Block Congress President Sandeep Agnihotri, Water Management Board Member Pawan Thakur, Haroli SDM Vishal Sharma, DSP Mohan Rawat, Joint Director of Industries Anshul Dhiman, Deputy Director of Higher Education Anil Takki, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School Nangal Kalan Meenakshi Gupta, Nestlé India Tahliwal Factory Manager Amit Kumar, Haroli Industrial Association President Rakesh Kaushal, Zila Parishad members Sulinder Kaur and Jyoti Bala, District Mahila Congress President Suman Thakur, District Youth Congress President Prashant Rai, senior Congress leaders Pramod Kumar, Prakash Dhangu, Sandeep Bhola, Anjana Kumari and Sumit Sharma, representatives of six gram panchayats, officials from various departments, and a large number of local residents.