Karnal, July 27: Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, stated that libraries and 'Shivdhams' (cremation grounds) should be constructed in 100% of the district's villages on a priority basis, and officials from the concerned departments must set targets to ensure this work is completed by March 31. He emphasized that just as every individual takes their personal household tasks seriously, officials and employees should handle tasks related to the public's needs with equal responsibility.
The Union Minister was speaking at a review meeting held at the Zila Parishad auditorium regarding nine significant development projects being implemented as a pilot initiative across 40 villages in the district. During the meeting, he directed officials to focus not only on these 40 villages but also on completing similar works—such as libraries, Shivdhams, paving of village peripheral roads (*phirni*), street lights, gymnasiums, village secretariats, sewerage systems, and school infrastructure (classrooms, boundary walls, toilets, etc.)—across all villages in the district. He suggested that MLAs from the respective constituencies should periodically discuss the progress of these works with officials and encourage Gram Panchayats to extend their cooperation. He clarified that while these tasks might appear minor, they are crucial for the comfort and well-being of the general public.
During the meeting, Union Minister Manohar Lal noted that some large Gram Panchayats possess substantial funds of their own; their cooperation should be enlisted to complete these specific projects, while other village development works could be funded through government budgets, MP funds, MLA funds, and 'D-Plan' allocations. He stressed that every single penny belongs to the public and must be utilized correctly, which requires the accurate preparation of cost estimates for development projects. He also instructed his representative to periodically review the cost estimates prepared by departmental officials and ensure that high-quality development works are executed cost-effectively. He stated that Amarnath Sauda, ??a former member of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission and a senior BJP worker, has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the 'Shiv Dham' projects currently under construction in the district; he is to monitor the ongoing work and submit reports.
He emphasized the government's commitment to completing public works. He directed all MLAs to prioritize the completion of nine ongoing projects across 40 villages—in addition to five specific villages—within their respective constituencies. He urged them to collaborate with Gram Panchayats, pay special attention to these projects, and prepare proposals for new schemes. He further instructed that in Gram Panchayats facing a shortage of space, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) should personally take cognizance of the matter, with MLAs extending their cooperation in this regard.
**Village Secretaries Must Work from the Village Secretariat**
Union Minister Manohar Lal stated that the government is establishing Village Secretariats to facilitate the functioning of Gram Panchayats. However, reports indicate that instead of working from the Village Secretariat, Village Secretaries are operating from the homes of Sarpanches. He asserted that this practice must stop and directed that Village Secretaries ensure they work from the Village Secretariat, where all Gram Panchayat business should be conducted. He issued necessary instructions to the Deputy Commissioner to this effect.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Union Minister Manohar Lal noted that ongoing development works in rural areas are reviewed during scheduled visits. These visits also provide an opportunity to consult with senior officials to secure administrative approval from headquarters for new projects. He assured that there is no shortage of funds for development works. Work on various development projects across the 395 Gram Panchayats of Karnal district is progressing rapidly, and the pace of development observed in this meeting was significantly better than in the previous one.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma welcomed Union Minister Manohar Lal and assured him that the directives would be strictly adhered to and that development projects would be completed expeditiously. The meeting was attended by Haryana Assembly Speaker and Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan, Haryana Assembly Chief Whip and Indri MLA Ram Kumar Kashyap, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand, Nilokheri MLA Bhagwandas Kabirpanthi, Assandh MLA Yogendra Rana, BJP District President Praveen Lathar, Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, MP's representative Kavindra Rana, senior BJP leaders Amarnath Sauda and Brij Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Saloni Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rahul Raiya, and Zila Parishad CEO Amit Kumar, among other officials.