HEATED DEBATE OVER INTEREST ISSUES AT 20-POINT COMMITTEE MEETING

HEATED DEBATE OVER INTEREST ISSUES AT 20-POINT COMMITTEE MEETING

14-JULY-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------A meeting of the 20-point committee was held on Monday at the Koilwar Block office in Bhojpur district, witnessing a significant uproar. Members attending the meeting voiced concerns regarding issues facing both rural and urban areas. Officials faced pointed questions concerning electricity, the 'Nal-Jal' (tap water) scheme, waterlogging, encroachments, hospitals, schools, sanitation, and banking-related difficulties.

Officials assured that work on several matters would be completed within the stipulated timeframe. Meanwhile, the committee has adopted a strict stance against officials who failed to attend this crucial meeting.

The meeting was presided over by Committee Chairman Sanjit Rajak, while Block Development Officer (BDO) Birbahadur Pathak conducted the proceedings. Officials and staff present included Block Pramukh Manoj Kumar Singh, Circle Officer Uday Pratap Singh, Panchayati Raj Officer Dr. Kunal Raj, Revenue Officer Rajbhushan Singh, Labour Enforcement Officer Sugita Kumari, Block Animal Husbandry Officer Manoj Kumar, and Block Health Manager Shambhu Kumar, among others.

During the meeting, Chairman Sanjit Rajak directed City Manager Rajiv Jha to arrange for the construction of a bathing ghat at Gauraiya Sthan Ghat. Member Mahboob Khan raised issues regarding illegal auto-rickshaw stands at major town intersections, departmental fee collection in the name of auto stands, the absence of officials, and the need to respect party workers.

Member Krishna Kumar Ranjan demanded the trimming of trees near the 11,000-volt power line of the Bahiyara feeder; the Junior Engineer from the Electricity Department assured prompt action. The BPRO discussed guidelines for constructing entrance gates in Gram Panchayats. Member Rakesh Sharma raised concerns regarding a permanent solution to encroachments, the creation of vending zones, and the absence of doctors at the Community Health Centre.

Member Shribhagwan Sah complained about waterlogging and garbage dumping in Ward No. 8 of Sakaddi; the BDO directed the Sanitation Coordinator to take action. Meanwhile, member Shyam Prakash Mahto raised issues regarding the shortage of classrooms and waterlogging at the Suraudha Colony school. It was noted that the Hardas Tola Primary School should be kept closed as a precautionary measure due to safety concerns arising from water accumulation in a nearby pit.

The Block Pramukh proposed addressing waterlogging in Sakaddi village, as well as removing illegal vehicle parking and encroachments along both sides of the National Highway. Member Krishna Mohan Srivastava called for the removal of the illegal auto-rickshaw stand in Kayamnagar. Member Savita Kumari demanded the installation of information boards for development works being carried out under the VB-G-Ramji scheme in Khangaon.

Other members raised issues concerning the PHED's 'Nal-Jal' (tap water) scheme—specifically regarding pipe extensions, repairs, outstanding payments for maintenance staff, and the regular cleaning of water tanks; officials assured them that these matters would be resolved within a week to fifteen days. Member Sonam Patel raised issues regarding the tap water scheme in Kulhariya, the need for police patrolling near schools, and the deployment of 'Vikas Mitras' (development facilitators) to the Mahadalit settlement.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Committee Vice-Chairman Jaishankar Kushwaha expressed strong displeasure over the absence of several officials—including representatives from the Nagar Panchayat, the MO (Marketing Officer), the warehouse manager, the CDPO, the Agriculture Officer, and the Cooperative Officer—and the practice of sending junior staff in their place. He directed that explanations be sought from officials who habitually miss these meetings and that the department be formally requested to take necessary action against them. Officials from the Koilwar police station, bank representatives, and other staff members were present at the meeting.