To enhance the capabilities of Zila Parishads (ZPs), Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that the responsibility for the repair of link roads in six additional districts —Sonipat, Kaithal, Mahendergarh, Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Rewari — will be transferred to Zila Parishads by the end of this year. Previously, this responsibility was overseen by the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB).
Earlier, the link road repair responsibility had been transferred from HSAMB to Zila Parishads in five districts — Yamunangar, Karnal, Palwal, Bhiwani, and Fatehabad — with the process of repair work already underway. With the addition of these six districts, ZPs will be responsible for road repair in a total of 11 districts. This move reflects the State Government's commitment to empowering Zila Parishads to undertake rural development projects more efficiently.
Khattar, during a meeting with the chairpersons of Zila Parishads and Chief Executive Officers of Zila Parishads to review various developmental initiatives, directed the CEOs to initiate the tendering process for the pavement of village phirnis in villages with a population of 5,000 or more by September 30, 2023.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of respecting and honoring the ZPs’ chairpersons, who play a crucial role as public representatives in the democratic setup. He clearly instructed the CEOs to relocate their offices from district Secretariats to ZP offices. In districts where ZP office buildings have already been erected, this directive should be promptly implemented. However, in cases where such infrastructure is yet to be established, CEOs are instructed to identify suitable land and submit proposals to the Head Office.
He also sought budget estimates for the current fiscal year from the CEOs of ZPs. The Chief Minister underscored that it falls within the purview of the Zila Parishads’ chairman to formulate their budgets; and subsequently forward them to the government after gaining approval within the ZP House. This ensures that sufficient funds will be accessible to drive developmental initiatives in rural areas effectively.
At the same time, he also encouraged them to construct Anganwari buildings wherever necessary and establish a dedicated unit in each district responsible for overseeing Anganwari Centers throughout the district.
Khattar directed the installation of street lights in 750 villages with the highest population across the state. The budget has already been allocated to Zila Parishads for this initiative. Under this program, the five villages with the highest population in each block will soon receive street lights.
Pointing out that there are 144 blocks in the State, he urged the CEO Zila Parishads to identify the block where even 10 e-libraries have not started. Requests for this purpose have been received through Jan Samvad, and we already have sanction to open 750 e-libraries.
During the review of Chaupals' construction, Khattar instructed the CEOs to conduct need-based surveys in their respective areas. He also directed them to initiate the process of beautifying or constructing walls for village ponds through the Zila Parishads. The Chairman and CEOs of Zila Parishads should collaborate to plan development activities in rural areas.
The state’s Development and Panchayats Minister Devender Singh Babli urged the CEOs to monitor the progress of development projects in their respective areas. He also expressed his intention to visit the entire state for this purpose.
Khattar to perform bhumi pujan of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib GMC in Y’nagar
Chandigarh: In another event, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will perform the bhumi pujan ceremony of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Government Medical College, Panjupur, in Yamunanagar district on Monday.
The state Health and Medical Education Minister Anil Vij will preside over the event, with the presence of the School Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar to grace the occasion. This milestone event marks a significant step forward in advancing healthcare and education infrastructure within the state, reaffirming the commitment of the Haryana Government to enhance the well-being and educational opportunities for its residents, said the spokesperson.