Raipur MP Brijmohan Agarwal Cracks the Whip in DISHA Meeting: Sets 100% Water Harvesting Target, Pulls Up Officials Over Delays
Raipur: Raipur Lok Sabha MP Brijmohan Agarwal on Monday chaired a marathon meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) at the Red Cross Auditorium in the Collectorate, conducting a comprehensive review of Central and State Government welfare schemes and development projects. Stressing timely implementation, he said the benefits of more than 124 public welfare schemes must reach every eligible rural beneficiary without delay.
The meeting was attended by Minister Tank Ram Verma, Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, MLAs Sunil Soni, Motilal Sahu, Anuj Sharma, Purandar Mishra and Indra Kumar Sahu, along with Raipur Collector Gaurav Singh, Zila Panchayat CEO Kumar Vishwaranjan, and senior police and administrative officials.
100% Water Harvesting Target to Combat Water Crisis
Expressing concern over the recurring summer water crisis, Agarwal noted that nearly 5,000 of the 8,500 tubewells in rural Raipur dry up every year. He directed officials to construct water recharge pits near every tubewell. The administration has already dug 48 new wells, in addition to the existing 180 wells, while 56 more wells have been sanctioned. Recharge pits will be developed for all of them.
He also ordered the installation of 100% water harvesting and recharge systems in all schools, panchayat buildings and anganwadi centres across the district.
8,800 Development Projects to Be Completed on Time
Under the Viksit Bharat initiative, 8,800 rural development projects have been approved for Raipur district. Agarwal instructed officials to complete all works within the stipulated timeline and immediately clear all pending MGNREGA projects.
Mega Green Plan and Godham Initiative
To improve green cover, the MP directed officials to prepare a mega plantation action plan by converging funds from CREDAI, CSR and CAMPA. He proposed large-scale roadside plantations along the Raipur–Bilaspur and Raipur–Balodabazar highways through public participation.
To reduce accidents caused by stray cattle, he proposed establishing one Godham (cattle shelter) for every 10 villages. Five Godhams have already been approved. He also directed officials to implement DEWATS-based water conservation works for the protection of rural ponds.
Education Department Pulled Up Over Delays
Agarwal expressed strong displeasure over delays in the distribution of textbooks and school uniforms. Out of 207 school clusters, only 113 have received the supplies so far. Taking serious note of complaints that government textbooks reached private schools before government schools, he ordered strict action against the responsible officials.
He also directed the immediate demolition of 15 unsafe school buildings and the speedy construction of new school infrastructure.
Smart Anganwadis and Rural Pink Auto Expansion
Out of 1.17 lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the district, 68,000 have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’. These groups will be encouraged to manufacture products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Following the success of the Pink Auto Scheme in urban areas, where women are earning ₹25,000–30,000 per month, the scheme will now be expanded to rural areas.
The MP also directed officials to ensure proper drinking water facilities in all anganwadi centres and announced a pilot project to convert anganwadis in villages with a population above 2,000 into smart centres equipped with TVs, refrigerators and modern learning tools.
Skill Development and Key Administrative Decisions
Agarwal recommended opening new LPG distributorships and Fair Price Shops (PDS) to meet the growing needs of Raipur. He also directed officials to provide Ujjwala gas connections to the remaining 2,767 eligible families.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), the district aims to train 25,000 youth in modern trades such as tile fitting, air-conditioner repair and machine operations.
The committee also unanimously approved a proposal to rename Khura village in the Dharsiwa Assembly constituency as Kunwargarh and instructed the Sports Department to expedite the construction of the proposed Badminton Academy in Labhandi.
