Maneka meets CM, bats for infra projects in Pilibhit

LUCKNOW: Union minister Maneka Gandhi met chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi on Saturday and expressed concern over the infrastructure deficit in 270 villages of Pilibhit falling under the tiger reserve zone.
The Union women and child development minister asked the CM to draw up a project for building rural roads and providing electricity and gas connections to these villages so that there are fewer cases of man-animal conflict.
Pilibhit, which has a significant forested area, is close to Dudhwa National Park and several man-animal con flict cases have been reported from the region. It is also the Lok Sabha constituency of Maneka.
“The Union minister asked the CM Aditya Nath Yogi to get a plan prepared for providing basic infrastructure to the villages and seek funds from Centre. The UP go vernment already has a Rs 6-crore project for develop ment of the area and Gandhi asked the CM to expand its scope.The Centre will assist in implementation of the project financially,“ said a senior official.
It was suggested that gas connections be provided to each household under Ujjwala scheme so that the de pendence on forest wood decreases. “Some work on roads is going on in the region but better connectivity is needed. The CM informed the minister that he will explore the possibility of providing solar power for streetlights,“ the official said.
During her meeting with the CM, Maneka also discussed the reopening of a defunct sugar mill in Majhaula. The mill, registered under a cooperative, has been lying shut for 20-odd years.
“Cane farmers in the area are suffering due to lack of a sugar mill. The chief minister informed Gandhi that a project under PPP model has been readied and will be presented in the Cabinet around November 10,“ the official added.