Mahendergarh: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda on Sunday launched a scathing attack on INLD President Om Prakash Chautala for allegedly putting "obstacles" in the way of state getting its rightful share in water through the Hansi-Butana link canal.
"I am pained to see Chautala putting obstacles in the way of the state staking claim to its share in water. Those who take away your drinking water, have no moral right to seek your votes," Hooda said while addressing a public rally here.
He said the Hansi-Butana Link canal was constructed at a cost of Rs 400 crore to ensure equal distribution of water.
Hooda had earlier alleged that Chautala was supporting Punjab on the embankment wall along the controversial canal.
The Punjab government had earlier, objecting to the construction of an embankment wall along the controversial canal by Haryana, saying this would lead to flooding in areas of Punjab`s Patiala district.
However, Haryana has said that the state Irrigation Department had been taking only protection measures by strengthening the old existing bund constructed prior to formation of Haryana in 1966 by constructing a concrete sheet pile below the present ground level.
He was addressing a public rally at Nangal Chaudhry of Mahendergarh district.
Hooda said while Rs 320.79 crore was spent in the Mahendergarh district during the six-year regime of the INLD, the present government has spent Rs 2,066.97 crore.
He announced bonanzas for the people of Mahendergarh district.
These include tehsil status, municipal committee, bus-stand, industrial area, 50-bedded hospital, an ITI in the PPP mode, women`s college, science faculty in Government College for Nangal Chaudhry.
Hooda also announced Rs 5 crore for the development of rural areas in Nangal Chaudhry.
Hooda said that the state government was implementing a Rs 161 crore scheme for providing drinking water to the 64 villages of the area.
Rs 105-crore scheme for providing drinking water had been
sent to NABARD, Hooda said, adding that Nangal Chaudhry would be made sub-division after one or two years.
Later, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones of various projects, including a new Primary Health Center in Mandhana village, additional block building in the civil hospital, Narnaul, Baijnath Charitable block building at Nangal Chaudhry and Baba Khetanath Government Ayurvedic Medial College and Hospital at Patikara.
Speaking on the occasion, the Excise and Taxation Minister, Kiran Chaudhry, lauded various initiatives of the state government like financial powers to village panchyats.
The rally had been organised by Chaudhry`s daughter and Congress` Bhiwani-Mahendergarh MP, Shruti Chaudhry.
Later, Hillary had a 30-minute discussion with nine NGO
representatives, mostly from Bengal, on various issues related to women trafficking.
19-year-old Uma Das, belonging to Khidirpur area here, requested her to ensure that red-light areas are closed down all over the world.
"Also I requested her to campaign for punishment of those involved in sex trade and child marriage," said Uma, who now works as a videographer with the Delhi-based NGO Apne Aap.
She also gave her a wrist band with the message - "Cool Men Don`t Buy Sex".
Clinton immediately wore it on her wrist and asked her entire team to wear it.
She was also gifted two black T-shirts which read - "Together we can end sex trade".
Amitava Bhattacharya of Banglanatak.Com, who works on livelihood issues, said Hillary was well aware of the issue.
"She had in-depth knowledge and asked us questions like what change we have seen during the last 10 years and what are the means to prevent sex trafficking," he said.
Describing her as a very warm lady, Sohini Chakraborty, founder-director of NGO Kolkata Sanved said the discussion was very informal but meaningful.
During the meeting, Hillary asked the NGOs about their activities, challenges they face and kind of collaboration with the government.
"She was very keen on learning about the gaps in implementing laws and also asked where they can collaborate," said Souvik Basu of `Sanlaap`.
PTI
