Virender Kanwar, the Agriculture, Rural Improvement, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has represented the Kutlehar constituency of the state for 4 consecutive phrases. Kanwar, 59, was additionally touted as a alternative for incumbent Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, after the BJP’s debacle within the bypolls final November. Forward of the November 12 elections, Kanwar spoke to The Indian Categorical about measures he undertook to fight water shortage in his constituency, developmental initiatives within the pipeline, the Congress’s probabilities within the polls, and the AAP’s place within the state. Excerpts:
Is water an issue in your constituency?
It was. It isn’t any extra. There was backwardness in my space once I first turned an MLA in 2003. There was water shortage because the constituency is generally hilly. However I began getting water provided by means of tankers.
In 2007, once I turned an MLA for the second time, about 1.70 crore tanker journeys have been made in a yr. A complete of 987 hand pumps have been put in and 70 tubewells have been dug for irrigation, supplying water to 17 panchayats.
I gained once more in 2012, however my get together misplaced. So, no significant work could possibly be completed throughout these 5 years. After I was re-elected in 2017, I carried on my battle for water. Now, I’m joyful to report that there are round 30,500 households in my constituency, and all of whom have water connections—har ghar nal se jal (tapwater in each home). We spent Rs 1.50 crore to put water pipes.
How is the street community?
We’ve constructed glorious roads beneath the PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana), with the assistance of NABARD (Nationwide Financial institution for Agriculture and Rural Improvement). We spent Rs 320 crore on this. Ab sirf wahi gaon bache hain, jahan zameen ka vivad hai (Now solely these villages are left which have land disputes).
Are well being amenities accessible to all?
We’ve constructed a civil hospital at Bangana, a 50-bed hospital at Thana Kalan, and in addition constructed main well being centres at Basal and Charola.
Every other achievements?
We’ve supplied authorities jobs to 2,750 folks and personal jobs to round 2,500 folks (within the constituency). We’ve constructed a zonal veterinary hospital at Barnoh and a buffalo breeding centre at Dangera. We’ve constructed a test dam at Samoor value Rs 18 crore, which is getting used for irrigation, fishery and gardening functions.
An indoor stadium is being constructed at Bangana. We’ve arrange a Nationwide Rural Livelihood centre at Thana Kalan. A sub-divisional workplace and a central college have been opened at Bangana.
At Basal, a centre of excellence in dairy coaching, in collaboration with Denmark, is arising. A bamboo village in collaboration with the startup Bamboo India, is arising at Ghandawal, which is able to present employment to 1,500 folks.
You might be stated to be very energetic, and have been on the transfer even through the pandemic.
That was a really powerful section. Life and livelihood have been in peril. Folks have been dwelling in fixed concern. We tried to do no matter little we may. Through the first wave, we supplied meals packets to the folks. We provided greens and fruits for folks in residence isolation through the second wave. We additionally used to have telephone conversations with these in ICUs. In a nutshell, we tried to offer a therapeutic contact to those that wanted it essentially the most.
There was speak of you changing the incumbent CM final yr after the bypolls.
Maine bhi media se suna tha (I too had heard the identical from the media).
How do you view the Congress’s probabilities in these elections?
Congress ka haal wahi hoga jo Punjab Meeting elections mein iska hua tha (The Congress will meet the identical destiny it did within the Punjab Meeting elections).
Is the AAP a contender?
AAP ka dharatal hello nahin hai (AAP has bought no floor in any respect).
Is the BJP going to retain energy?
Sure. BJP bahumat ke saath wapis aayegi (BJP will come again with a majority).
What do you intend to do for those who come again to energy?
We’ll construct 5 extra test dams and assemble academies for college students to arrange for aggressive examinations. We purpose to make a playground and a girls’s empowerment centre at each panchayat. We’ll attempt to convey pharma and textile items to the constituency. Agli baar paani hum har khet tak le jayenge (Subsequent time we’ll take water to each agricultural subject).