Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij expressed his displeasure with the slow pace of work on civic projects during a surprise visit to the Municipal Council (MC) in Ambala Sadar today. The minister requested a status report as well as details on the budget spent on various development projects in the civic body. He directed officials to speed up the pace of work and blacklist contractors who consistently missed deadlines. The Home Minister reached the civic body after inspecting a mock drill to check preparedness to tackle the Covid surge at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment. The minister asked MC Executive Officer Ravinder Singh to show him the complete list of works done, pending works and the status of ongoing projects since 2014. Vij said, “Several development projects with ample budgetary allocation were sanctioned in the MC area. The officials during the meeting claimed that the work is going on in full swing but the things at the ground level tell a different story.” Some BJP workers told the minister that poor quality material was used in the construction of a dharamshala in Nagla, following which the minister directed the officials to get the construction material samples from there tested. The minister asked Administrator Nirmal Nagar to take action against the contractors who have taken tenders beyond their financial capacity. Vij also expressed unhappiness with the design of the upcoming dairy complex. He said he has told the architect concerned to get in touch with the Animal Husbandry Department for improving the design. Meanwhile, some local residents met the minister and raised the issue of the cancellation of ration cards. The minister said directions had been issued to officials and the cards of eligible beneficiaries would be prepared.
