Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Patiala, Cabinet minister Surjit Singh Rakhra has become a major hurdle in resolving the civic amenities issue of four districts and 22 municipalities in the state. The minister is backing six village panchayats from Patiala that are opposing the Rs 150-crore solid waste management project to be set up at Dudarh village.
Despite a reminder by the CM to the minister around a year ago to ensure smooth sailing of the project, Rakhra is hell bent on stopping the project that would manage and recycle waste from six districts and 22 municipalities. Initially, he himself cleared the project as the village where the project was to be set up earlier did not fall in his constituency. Villagers have been holding dharnas against setting up the project in Patiala.
Sources said a powerful real estate lobby was also behind the “stage-managed” agitation as they bought land in the village at cheap rates around six years ago. They suffered major losses once the government decided to set up the project at Dudarh village. “There is a need to look at the whole case from a different angle,” said a senior officer.
Sources said Rakhra did not want the plant in his constituency because he feared a backlash from villagers, who thought the plant would spread filth in the area.
“I am with the villagers and the project should be set up away from any population as villagers fear they will face foul smell once the project was set up,” Rakhra said. “I am not against the project, but against the place shortlisted for the project,” he said.
