Una, December 23: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the Haroli assembly constituency is rapidly moving towards decisive development. He said that the area is undergoing planned and balanced development, keeping in mind the current needs as well as the future and coming generations.
He was addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the annual prize distribution ceremony of Government Senior Secondary School, Palakwah, in the Haroli assembly constituency on Tuesday. The program was held in the auditorium of the Skill Development Center in Palakwah.
On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister honored the students who excelled in academic, sports, and cultural activities.
The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the cultural performances of the students and announced a grant of Rs. 31,000. Regarding the demand for the construction of a school stage and shed, he instructed the concerned department to prepare an estimate and assured that the necessary funds would be provided.
**Decisive changes in the field of education**
Mr. Agnihotri said that there has been an unprecedented transformation in the field of education in Haroli. This area, once considered backward in terms of education, has today become an example of academic excellence. He said that in the very homes where there was once illiteracy, today the daughters are serving as doctors, lawyers, judges, and in administrative services. Students from Badedha Law College have reached the Supreme Court, while students from nursing institutions are serving in renowned hospitals across the country.
He informed that the IIIT, established at a cost of Rs. 150 crore, has emerged as a prestigious institution, where students from all over the country are coming to study. There is tough competition for admission to the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Saloh. ITIs have been established in Pandoga and Pubowal, colleges in Haroli, Khadd, and Beetan, along with the construction of modern auditoriums and sports complexes. He said that work is now also being done towards opening an Ayurvedic college in the assembly constituency. **?132 Crore for the Construction of 11 Bridges in Haroli**
The Deputy Chief Minister said that works worth ?132 crore are being undertaken for the construction of 11 bridges to connect the remaining missing links in the Haroli area. These include the Chandpur bridge at a cost of ?1.74 crore, the Ispur-Dera Baba Bhartrihari Damamiya Khadd bridge at ?1 crore, the Gondpur Jaichand Khadd bridge at ?1.60 crore, the Chandpur Khadd bridge at ?3.82 crore, the Haroli Khadd bridge at ?4.64 crore, the Badhera Khadd bridge at ?8.74 crore, the Kangad Khadd bridge at ?15.04 crore, and the Palakwah Khadd bridge at ?6.24 crore.
In addition, ?37 crore will be spent on double-laning the Jhalera-Ghaluwal bridge, while the construction of the Pandoga-Tyuri bridge is underway at a cost of ?50 crore. He informed that ?48.69 crore has been sanctioned under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund for the upgradation of the Jejon Mor to Tahliwal Chowk via Bhai Ka Mor link road. This project includes the upgradation of 17.50 kilometers of road and the construction of three bridges in Palakwah, Kangad, and Badhera.
**New ?100 Crore Drinking Water Scheme for Haroli**
The Deputy Chief Minister informed that a new drinking water and irrigation scheme worth ?100 crore has been sanctioned for the Haroli assembly constituency under the MCAD component. Under this scheme, the area will be divided into three clusters – Tahliwal, Haroli, and Khadd – and water management will be strengthened through modern technology.
He said that as a result of planned efforts, the Beet area of ??Haroli, which once faced a water crisis, has now become a major center for cash crops, being well-equipped with both drinking water and irrigation facilities. He informed that water storage tanks with a capacity of 50 lakh liters have been constructed in Polian and 25 lakh liters in Dulair. A tank with a capacity of 25 lakh liters is under construction at a height of 25 meters in Amrali, below which facilities like a coffee house will be developed. This is a project worth Rs 24 crore.
In addition, work is underway on the 'Beet Area Phase-2' lift irrigation scheme at a cost of Rs 75 crore, under which water will be lifted from the Swan River to provide irrigation facilities to approximately 50,000 kanals of land in 28 villages of the Beet and Palakwah areas.
**Rs 20 Crore for Pond Conservation and Beautification**
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Rs 20 crore has been provided for the conservation, recharging, and beautification of ponds. Rs 2 crore each has been sanctioned for the rejuvenation of ponds in Hiran and Beetan panchayats.
**Zero Tolerance on Drugs**
Mr. Agnihotri said that the state government is working on a zero-tolerance policy against deadly drugs like Chitta (heroin). The properties of drug traffickers will be confiscated, and strict action will be taken against them. He appealed to parents to keep a vigilant eye on their children's activities and mobile phone usage.
**Warning to those obstructing development... Try as you might, development work will not stop.**
The Deputy Chief Minister clearly stated that no matter how hard those obstructing development try, development work in Haroli will not stop. This is a commitment made to the people. He said that the Bulk Drug Park project will put the Beeth area of ??Haroli on the international map. This project, worth more than Rs. 2,000 crore, is among the three major projects in the country. Some people tried to obstruct it, but environmental clearance has been obtained for the project, and tenders worth approximately Rs. 1,000 crore have already been issued.
**Gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister for the gifts of development: Sandeep Agnihotri**
At the program, Sandeep Agnihotri, Managing Director of SD Public School and former head of Palakwah, while mentioning the unprecedented development in the field of education, expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister for the state-of-the-art auditorium built in Palakwah on the lines of Chandigarh, the magnificent school building, and the improved health services strengthened in the area. He expressed his thanks for the gifts of development received by the Palakwah area.
**Principal presents details of academic, sports and co-curricular activities**
Naresh Thakur, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Palakwah, presented the school's annual report, giving a detailed account of the academic, sports and co-curricular activities throughout the year. He also provided information about the efforts being made in the school to create awareness among students regarding environmental protection, drug prevention, and social participation.
**Children win hearts with outstanding performances**
In the program, the school children captivated the audience with their inspiring, cultural, and patriotic performances.
The program was attended by Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, SDM Vishal Sharma, other officers, educationists, senior Congress leaders and social workers Ashok Thakur, Vinod Bittu, Captain Shakti Chand Rana, Captain Ram Singh, Sumit Sharma, and other dignitaries, school staff, students, parents, and local people.