-Cabinet Minister takes serious note of lapses in pond construction at village Baran
-Directs action against responsible officials
-Canal water starts flowing into Nandpur Kesho: Dr. Balbir Singh
Patiala, June 11:
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today conducted a site visit to inspect the ongoing pond cleaning and development work in villages Baran and Nandpur Kesho.
During his visit to village Baran, Dr. Balbir Singh expressed serious concern over the incomplete construction of the pond wall being developed using the Thapar Model near the Gurdwara Sahib. Taking strong note of the irregularities, he directed officials to take action against those responsible. He instructed the Panchayat Department to submit a detailed report on the expenditure incurred and provide a list of all officials involved in the project, from the Junior Engineer level upwards. He emphasized that every rupee of public funds must be spent transparently and effectively for public benefit and warned of strict action against misuse or negligence.
Inspecting the pond at Baran, the Minister also raised concerns over a previously collapsed wall and the delay in constructing a new concrete structure, noting that such negligence could endanger nearby infrastructure, including the Gurdwara Sahib. He directed that the matter be addressed urgently and with accountability. Additionally, he issued instructions for cleaning the canal running through Baran and the pond in Nawan Baran.
At Nandpur Kesho, Dr. Balbir Singh reviewed the cleaning work at two major ponds and announced that the pond near the dispensary would be concretized and developed into a park. Water from this pond would then flow through the adjoining earthen pond to irrigate nearby fields. He informed that tenders have already been floated, and the work will be completed soon. He also directed the concerned departments to demolish the village’s unsafe water tank and construct a new one.
The Minister further shared that a grant of Rs. 25 lakh has been released for development work in Nandpur Kesho, and additional funding will be provided under the Rangla Punjab Vikas Fund as required. Thanking Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, he noted that water from the Narwana Branch canal has started flowing into the village’s irrigation channel, which will be concretized next year.
To prevent crop damage due to waterlogging during the monsoon, drain-cleaning work is currently underway and will be completed up to Nandpur Kesho within five days. He also mentioned that the Panchayat of village Kalwe owns 17 acres of land, of which 7 acres are being developed into a lake to store rainwater. This initiative aims to protect crops from flooding and promote water conservation. Officials from the Panchayat, Drainage, and Irrigation Departments accompanied the Minister during the visit.
