Haroli, October 21:- Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that drug abuse is not a political issue but a serious social evil. The state government is taking strict action against it. Properties worth approximately ₹1.75 crore belonging to people involved in the drug trade have been sealed in Una district, and action has also been taken to take such properties into possession. The services of government employees found involved in promoting drug abuse have also been terminated. He said that the participation of society, panchayats, youth and sports organisations is essential in the fight against drugs.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing the closing ceremony of a cricket cup organised at Nangal Khurd in Haroli Assembly constituency on Wednesday as the chief guest. The tournament was held from October 17 to 21. The team from Kokowal, Punjab, delivered an impressive performance to win the title, while the Nangal Khurd team finished as runners-up. Mukesh Agnihotri honoured the winning team with ₹51,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up received ₹31,000 and a trophy.
Tournament Committee to Receive ₹1 Lakh Every Year
Mukesh Agnihotri announced a personal contribution of ₹1 lakh to the Nangal Khurd Cricket Tournament Committee. He said that an annual grant of ₹1 lakh would be provided for organising the tournament to connect young people with sports and encourage sporting activities in the village. Congratulating the cricket committee and panchayat members on the successful organisation of the event, he said that sports are a powerful means of guiding young people in a positive direction and keeping them away from social evils such as drug abuse.
He announced that lights would be installed at the Nangal Khurd sports ground at a cost of ₹50 lakh, providing better facilities for players and promoting sporting activities. He said that work was underway to install lights at sports grounds at various locations across Haroli Assembly constituency. Lights have also been installed at Nangnoli and Beetan at a cost of ₹50 lakh each.
Youth and Panchayats Have a Key Role in the Fight Against Drugs
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the harmful effects of drug abuse had now reached even remote and inaccessible areas. Therefore, government efforts alone were not sufficient, and every section of society must come forward to fight this menace. He said that continuous action was being taken against drugs in the state and accused persons were being apprehended. Various activities were also being organised to raise awareness among young people and children.
Praising the Nangal Khurd Cricket Committee and panchayat, he said that organising sports competitions to keep the village safe and guide young people in the right direction was a commendable initiative. He added that sports help develop discipline, team spirit and positive thinking among young people.
Extensive Work Underway on Drinking Water Schemes in Haroli
Mukesh Agnihotri said that large-scale efforts were underway to strengthen drinking water facilities in Haroli Assembly constituency. Earlier, people in the area had faced numerous difficulties due to water shortages, but various drinking water schemes were now providing relief. Improvements in irrigation and drinking water facilities were also benefiting farmers. Farmers in the area are now growing vegetables and transporting their produce to markets, which is a positive result of improved water facilities.
He said that drinking water had previously been supplied to the Beetan and Singha areas through a water supply scheme. In addition, work had been undertaken to supply water to Karampur, Palakwah, Pubowal, Polian and surrounding villages through a drinking water scheme being developed at a cost of approximately ₹75 crore.
He said that a tank with a capacity of 50 lakh litres had been constructed at Polian, while tanks with capacities of 25 lakh litres each had been built at Dulehar and Amarali. A ₹101-crore scheme had been approved to further strengthen the drinking water system in the area, under which 136 old tube wells would be bored and improved. A drinking water scheme worth approximately ₹100 crore was also being undertaken for the Pandoga area.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the demands raised regarding drinking water supply in Nangal Khurd would also be fulfilled. He assured residents that he was committed to providing better drinking water facilities in the area.
District Council member Jyoti Wala, Block Mahila Congress President Sukhwinder Kaur, Nangal Khurd Panchayat Pradhan Jaswant Singh, Deputy Pradhan Ashwani Kumar, panchayat representatives, cricket committee members, players and local residents were present on the occasion.
