QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED REGARDING DEVELOPMENT WORKS: BHAI DINESH

QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED REGARDING DEVELOPMENT WORKS: BHAI DINESH

25-MARCH-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------Today marks the arrival of the Honorable Chief Minister in Bhojpur—an occasion we welcome. The visit of any public representative to a district serves to reinforce the public's hopes and expectations regarding development. However, alongside this visit, it is inevitable that certain serious questions arise—questions to which the public seeks answers.

Last year, during the Chief Minister's 'Pragati Yatra' (Progress Journey), the Additional Health Center located in Harigaon was inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navin Chandra Ramgoolam. At that time, it was announced that this health center would be equipped with round-the-clock facilities, including doctors, nurses, medicines, ambulances, diagnostic services, and maternity care. Yet, despite the passage of a full year, these facilities have still not become operational. Who, ultimately, is responsible for this failure? Why has accountability not been fixed, and why has no action been taken?

Similarly, it remains baffling what message is being conveyed to the public through the inauguration of an unfinished medical college. At a time when the state's financial situation is such that it faces difficulties in paying timely salaries to contractual workers, teachers, and other government employees, the justification for spending approximately ₹50 crore on a single event also comes under intense scrutiny.

Questions also arise regarding the organization of the public meeting itself. When the administration is compelled to ensure the presence of 'Jeevika Didis' (women self-help group members) and police personnel to fill the venue, what remains of the actual utility or significance of such a gathering?

The true yardsticks of development are education, healthcare, irrigation, roads, electricity, and water supply. It is expected that the Chief Minister will undertake a comprehensive review of the actual ground reality within these fundamental sectors in the Bhojpur district. Even today, residents in hundreds of villages across Bhojpur—including Kahen, Barnav, Khanni Khurd, Barnav Uttarwari Mathia, Gyanpura, Pilapur, and Devtola—continue to grapple with severe waterlogging issues. Drainage water overflows onto the roads, and people are forced to live amidst stagnant, filthy water within their own homes. Is this, then, the true sign of progress and prosperity?

It is worth recalling that just last year, the Bhojpur district administration had claimed to have achieved "holistic development" following their visits to the Mahadalit settlements. Today, there is a need to review those claims and inform the public about the actual changes that have taken place at the grassroots level.

Furthermore, a comprehensive inspection of the district's government schools, colleges, private clinics, and private educational institutions should be conducted so that the true state of education and healthcare services can be brought to light.

We hope that the Honorable Chief Minister will seriously review the development works in Bhojpur and take concrete steps to resolve the fundamental issues facing the public.