Govt committed to ensuring basic infrastructure in all colonies: Minister

Even as the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal traded charges over corruption in the Vidhan Sabha today, Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar emphasised the government's strong commitment to ensuring the provision of basic infrastructure in all colonies under the Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojana.

Speaking on the calling attention moved by INLD’s Aditya Devi Lal on the last day of the winter session,  Panwar reiterated that under the scheme, any colony still lacking basic facilities would be given priority for development. “Additional funds needed to complete the necessary infrastructure in these colonies would also be allocated," he said.

He said the scheme was launched in 2008 with the objective of providing 100 square yard plots to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and families living below the poverty line. However, due to various reasons, some beneficiaries were unable to take possession of the allotted plots. He further said the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana was introduced in 2024-25 by the Housing for All Department established by the present state government.

Regarding the provision of basic amenities, such as electricity, water, roads, lanes, and drains, in colonies established under the Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojana, the minister assured the House that the state government was actively working on these efforts.

Under this scheme, approximately 4,573 colonies have been established, with basic facilities provided in around 2,250 colonies where settlements have begun.

With reference to Sirsa district, Panwar said 269 colonies had been developed under the Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojana, of which basic facilities have been provided in 113 colonies, and the work is ongoing in 156 others.

The Congress and the INLD had heated exchanges over corruption, with Aditya Devi Lal alleging that the Congress looted the state in the name of change-of-land use while the Congress said the entire state was looted by the INLD during its term in the government.

Congress MLA Ashok Arora suggested that plots to all such families, should be carved out near the village to ensure basic facilities like power and water instead of carving these out on panchayat land which is usually located at a distance from the village.