Una, June 15: Describing villages as the strongest units for development, good governance, and social change, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri stated that if villages are strong and prosperous, Himachal will also prosper. He called upon the newly elected Panchayat representatives to rise above party politics and work unitedly for public service, the welfare of the poor, the eradication of drug abuse, and a better future for the youth, while steering villages toward a new path of development.
At the oath-taking ceremony held on Monday at the Lata Mangeshkar Kala Kendra in Samur Kalan, the Deputy Chief Minister administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected Pradhans and Up-Pradhans of 249 Gram Panchayats in Una district. Approximately 500 Panchayat representatives and their family members attended the event.
In his address, Shri Agnihotri urged all Panchayat representatives to pledge to work unitedly—rising above political ideologies—on matters concerning development and the resolution of public issues. He remarked that Panchayat representatives are the architects of the future of the villages and Una; the direction the villages take over the next five years will largely depend on their working style and vision.
He stated that if any bitterness arose during the elections, it should be left behind in favor of a fresh start based on dialogue and cooperation. There should be healthy competition among Panchayats, and each Panchayat should strive to become a model in areas such as development, education, sanitation, social causes, and public welfare. Serving the poor, building a future for the youth, and uplifting the weaker sections of society should be given top priority.
Mukesh Agnihotri noted that Una is among the rapidly developing districts of the country. The nation's ambitious Bulk Drug Park project, costing over ?2,000 crore, is being established in the district, with both the Central and State governments contributing ?1,000 crore each. Additionally, a state-of-the-art PGI Satellite Centre is being constructed at Malahat, which will provide better healthcare facilities to the people of the region. He stated that the state government would spend approximately ?250 crore on the comprehensive development and strengthening of infrastructure at the Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple. In the first phase, around ?125 crore will be spent.
Urging Panchayat representatives to ensure that the benefits of the government's public welfare schemes reach the last person in the queue, the Deputy Chief Minister directed that eligible individuals receive pensions, housing, and other social security benefits in a timely manner. He emphasized the need for special sensitivity towards destitute children, needy families, and weaker sections of society.
He remarked that the campaign against drug abuse needs to become a mass movement, with Panchayats playing a leading role. He asserted that individuals involved in the drug trade—including those dealing in synthetic drugs like 'Chitta'—should not be shielded or protected at any level. He added that Panchayat representatives must shoulder the responsibility of making their villages drug-free.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that Panchayat representatives are vested with administrative and judicial powers; therefore, these powers must be exercised with a sense of responsibility and transparency, always prioritizing the public interest. He instructed them to take immediate cognizance of any instances where an official or employee might attempt to misuse their position. He also urged the representatives themselves to exercise their authority with complete impartiality and honesty.
He called upon the district administration to work in a spirit of coordination and cooperation with the newly elected Panchayat representatives. He described the five-year tenure as a significant opportunity for public service and emphasized that efforts should be made to translate resolutions adopted during this period into reality on the ground.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the oath-taking ceremony should not be viewed merely as a formality. He highlighted that the greatest strength of India's democracy lies in the fact that all public representatives—from the Panchayat member to the Prime Minister—are elected through the people's mandate. He emphasized that living up to the trust the people have placed in them by electing them is their foremost responsibility. On this occasion, MLAs Rakesh Kalia, Satpal Satti, Sudarshan Bablu, and Vivek Sharma; Chairman of the State Scheduled Castes Commission and former Minister Kuldeep Kumar; former MLA Satpal Raizada; District Congress President Deshraj Gautam; Scheduled Castes Commission member Vijay Dogra; Himachal Pradesh Jal Board member Pawan Thakur; Himachal Road Transport Corporation member Ashok Thakur; Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal; ASP Surendra Sharma; and District Panchayat Officer Shravan Kumar were present, along with other public representatives, officials, panchayat representatives, and their family members.