Hisar: Amid increasing political criticism over civic projects in Sirsa, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday visited the district. He asserted that the district had received "crores of rupees" for infrastructure projects and assured that ongoing issues would be addressed soon.
Grievance Meeting and Public Hearing
Saini chaired the District Grievance Committee meeting at Panchayat Bhawan and later attended a Jan Kalyan Camp to hear public grievances. Of 15 agenda items listed, 12 complaints were taken up, while three remained pending due to the absence of complainants.
Congress MLAs Raise Concerns
Congress MLA Gokul Setia raised concerns over deteriorating roads, sewerage problems and poor civic infrastructure in Sirsa city. Before he could elaborate, Saini interrupted and told him, "We will discuss this later; your complaint will be heard separately." Following the meeting, Setia was seen having a brief one-to-one conversation with the CM and handing over a file containing his concerns.
Another Congress MLA, Shishpal Keharwala, raised the issue of pending payments to village sarpanches who incurred expenses during flood management works along the Ghaggar river in the previous season. He requested that pending payments be verified and released to avoid future difficulties during emergency situations.
CM's Defense and Assurances
Responding to criticism that Sirsa had never witnessed such poor civic conditions even in previous decades, Saini defended the government's position, stating that large-scale sewerage and pipeline work was underway in the city and temporary disruptions were inevitable.
"Roads have been dug up because pipeline work is in progress. All damaged roads will be repaired. Sirsa has received development funds worth crores of rupees, and grants have also been released for panchayats and local bodies," he said.
Political Attendance and Absences
The CM also faced questions regarding repeated meetings with MP Kuldeep Bishnoi but chose not to respond. He similarly avoided making detailed remarks on allegations relating to the destruction of seized opium and alleged involvement of police personnel.
Former Odisha governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, former Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal, INLD-backed Zila Parishad chairman Karan Chautala, Congress MLAs Shishpal Keharwala and Gokul Setia, Labour Board chairman Rohtash Jangra, former MP Charanjit Singh Rori and several local BJP leaders attended the programme.
Ellenabad MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal did not attend the meeting. BJP leader Gobind Kanda was also not seen during the CM's programmes, even as his absence triggered political discussion in local circles.
Yoga Day Event and Pre-Visit Preparations
Earlier in the day, Saini also participated in an International Yoga Day event at Baba Bhuman Shah Dera along with Dera head Baba Brahmdas and party leaders.
Ahead of the CM's visit, repair work and patchwork on several roads was carried out across Sirsa city. However, residents expressed dissatisfaction, alleging that the work was merely temporary and unlikely to withstand the monsoon season.
