Jaipur— Rajasthan Government's Public Works Department Minister and Sawaimadhopur district in-charge Bhajanlal Jatav interacted with the local people at Malarna Dungar, Panchayat Samiti on Friday. Farmers and common people demanded redressal of various problems including education and health. Citing the news of The Mooknayak, the villagers appealed to the minister to take concrete action.

It's worth mentioning that the government school building have been functioning in a dilapidated 100-years-old. The area is inhabitated mostly by inmates from minority and ST section. Residents complained to the minister about the cracks on the classroom walls and the wooden support kept to prevent the roof from crashing.

400 cr pending from centre

Speaking to the media, Jatav agreed that some of the government school buildings are in a dilapidated condition. He also said that though several proposals were sent to the Central Government, the latter hasn't released a fund of 400 crores, meant for integral education. He also said that the districts of Eastern Rajasthan have not received a single penny and hence important renovation works have been pending.

ERCP on state's priority list

The Mooknayak had prominently reported on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project. The minister said "ERCP (East Rajasthan Canal Project) is our first priority as it is our lifeline". Lands are drying up as a result of low level of underground water and the farmers are worried, he said. The water level in Bharatpur is below 1000 feet. Electricity supply is another problem and hence the farmers would only be relieved after the commencement of the ERCP.

No dispute on Chambal water

In response to a question, he said, the proposal was made by the BJP government. There is no dispute with Madhya Pradesh on the Chambal river. "We only demand our share of water. The central government should at declare ERCP as a national project. Rest of the work will be done when the national project is announced" Jatav said.

Plan for food processing plant

When asked on the mass cultivation of Guava in the area, the minister said he would speak to the chief minister on setting up of a food processing plant either in Sawaimadhopur or Bharatpur. This will provide employment to the youths at a larger level and the guava cultivators would also fetch good returns for their produce.