Tewari exhorts people to use RTI for proper development

Ludhiana, September 1, 2013: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today laid the foundation stone for upgrading two link roads in Dakha assembly segment in the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna. He laid the foundation stone of link road between village Sohian to National Highway-95 and Braich to Dhollan being built at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore 6 lac and Rs. 6 crore 39 lac respectively.

Addressing the public functions after laying the foundation stones Tewari exhorted the people to exercise Right to Information for the proper development. He said that the Union Government allocated about Rs. 800 crore to Rs.1000 crore to the State of Punjab per annum for various programmes, such as rural development, MGNREGA and etc, to be spent through the Zila Parishads. Tewari said the State Government neither contributes its share in the Central scheme and funds are not being properly utilized by the Zila Parishads that is why no development is visible in the State.

He exhorted the people to exercise the Right to Information to ensure the proper utilization of funds for development. The UPA Government has strengthened the common man with the power of RTI, through which everyone has a legal right to know that how much amount has been sanctioned and how much has been spent. So all the Panchayats and all enlighten citizen are free to sought detail of development funds from the Zila Parishad. 

He reiterated that Punjab Government should come up with a white paper on the State economy. He said, if no Central grant is given to Punjab, the State will have to face financial bankruptcy as it is currently unable even to pay to salaries to its employees. Referring to the Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill, he said that these Bill represent the commitment of the UPA Government for the welfare of people.

Tewari announced grant of Rs. 5 lac each to the village Sohian and Dhollan. Present on the occasion includes Jagpal Singh Khangura, Major Singh Mullanpur, Manjeet Singh Bharowal, Pawan Dewan, Kaka Grewal, Ranjit Singh Mangat, Telu Ram Bansal, Purshottam Khalifa and etc.