M A I N   N E W S

MPs bare plans for year 2000
From Tripti Nath
Tribune News Service

AS calendars and planners are replaced and fresh resolutions are pledged to ring in the New Year — this time 2000 — The Tribune takes a look at the agenda of the elected representatives of our region. Most parliamentarians we spoke to said there was nothing special about the year 2000.

For most MPs, the New Year is only a mathematical progression in the calendar. They, however, have some targets in mind which they are determined to achieve in the next 12 months. Some of these may sound familiar to the electorate but a partial repetition of these poll promises can also be reassuring to the voters. The MPs reiterated their commitment to development on various fronts including education, health, tourism, communication and provision of the basic amenities.

Shanta Kumar, BJP MP from Kangra, Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

We are working towards tapping the hydroelectric potential in Kangra and Chamba. In Chamba, we have the Chamera stage II project worth Rs 1,700 crore. In Kangra, we have the Kholi scheme, the Neugal scheme in the private sector, besides 12 projects which are in the pipeline. "Power generation will generate employment, income for the state government and take care of the national problem of power shortage.

"We have a problem of unemployment. Chamba has huge reserves of limestone which is of very good quality. We plan to have a cement plant. Cement industry generates maximum employment. This is in the final stages.’’

To promote tourism, we have proposed a few projects which have been put up before the Ministry of Tourism. Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Khajiar are also trying to involve the private sector in tourism.

"We are trying to have a ropeway at Palampur and Dharamsala. I plan to complete all these projects during my tenure. In 2000, we will try to ensure that the cement plant is set up and work on the Neugal power project begins (PPA has been signed) and the Vivekanand super-speciality hospital and medical college in Palampur starts.

Within three months, there will not be a single area without the telephone facility.

Maharani Parneet Kaur, Congress MP from Patiala.

I have some projects in mind but their execution depends on the support of the state government. In the coming year, I will persuade the state government to revive the pension scheme for the elderly. This scheme was discontinued some time back. They are attempting a re-assessment. Another scheme I have in mind is the construction of toilets and bathing units for the slum population. I’ve made a proposal to Sulabh International in this regard.

"Another area that needs immediate attention is the development of over 50 unauthorised colonies around Rajpura and Sirhind. These need to be authorised first. Apart from this, I would like the government to introduce bus service to schools located in remote areas. Teachers employed in these primary, middle and secondary schools don’t turn up for work and there is no check on the high rate of absenteeism. I would like to take up this with the Ministry of Human Resource Development."

"I would also like to draw the government’s attention to various schemes that have been proposed for flood control. Every year, water from the Ghaggar river overflows causing floods and damaging crops."

I also want the Ministry of Railways to start fast trains between Patiala and Delhi and Patiala and Amritsar. I would urge the Ministry to start those trains that were cancelled when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab.

Ajay Chautala, INLD MP from Bhiwani

I propose to put the MPs local area development fund to good use. I would also try to open more avenues of vocational education in my constituency to tackle the problem of unemployment. I also propose to solve this problem by setting up a cement unit in Loharu. Besides, I would like to redress the grievances of the farmers.

Santosh Chowdhary, Congress MP from Phillaur

"I would like to meet the long-pending demand for the construction of a railway bridge in Phagwara. I have made efforts in this direction in the past and would like to make efforts afresh. Some villages don’t have proper sewerage and this problem needs immediate attention. Primary schools are in a state of neglect and some don’t even have drinking water."

I would also like to ensure that widows, disabled persons and the elderly don’t have to run from pillar to post to get their pension. I would also try to improve telephone facilities in the constituency.

"Education of the girl child and population stabilisation are two other areas that need immediate attention."

Vinod Khanna, BJP MP from Gurdaspur

"My priority in the new year is construction of bridges across Ravi and the Beas to reduce distances. Right now, people travelling from Jalandhar to Jammu and Kashmir have to go through Pathankot. Certain parts of the district are cut off because of lack of bridges."

"Finding a solution to the problem of unemployment is second on my agenda. I would like to see at least 500 youths employed by December 2000. This can be done by setting up small-scale cottage industries that generate employment. I would persuade the government to recruit youths from these districts into the ITBP, the CRPF and the CISF."

"I would like to encourage people to set up agro based industries including mushroom growing and bee-keeping.

"Gurdaspur boys and girls are the best gymnasts in the country. I want to set up a sports academy to train youths in various sports and games."

Simranjit Singh Mann, SAD (Mann) MP from Sangrur

"I’m keen that a university be set up in Mastwana for the Malwa region of Punjab. Apart from this, I plan to set up a centre for Middle-East studies in Malerkotla. This school would offer teaching of Arabic, Persian and Urdu.

"My plans for the constituency include the setting up a buffalo research station. Since Malerkotla is devoid of canal irrigation, I would like to ensure that canal irrigation is introduced here.

"Punjab has about 15 lakh unemployed youth. I plan to make a representation to the President to allocate jobs in the armed forces for our boys."

"I would also persuade the State government to introduce English as a subject from the first standard in all schools of Sangrur."

Dr Sushil Indora, INLD MP from Sirsa

"For the three districts in my constituency, my target for the year 2000 is to ensure a rail link for Fatehabad to connect it with Bathinda, Sirsa, Delhi, Bhiwani and Rohtak.

"I want the government to open a central school in Fatehabad, medical college in Dabwali as promised by former Premier, P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1995 after the Dabwali fire. There is no medical institute within 150 km of Dabwali where over 300 persons died in fire. I also propose to work on a plan to construct a stadium in Chautala.