ANURADHA RAMAN, Posted online: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 0200 hours IST
RAMGARH (NAINITAL), JUNE 21: Far removed from the hike in prices of petrol and diesel, at over 5,000 feet, Petroleum and Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar is faced with concerns that are very basic — water scarcity, for example.
At Simayal, a small gram sabha panchayat is airing its woes before the Minister, who has come to visit them for the first time since he took over.
The woman pradhan, Bhagvati Arya, is a little diffident till she takes the mike, and lists the problems her village of over 230 households, is facing — very little water, just one primary health care, very few teachers on the rolls, and lack of employment opportunities. She had to make do with Rs 70,000 that came her way last financial year.
To test her commitment, Aiyer asks, “What will you do if you get Rs five lakh?”
Arya is quick to respond. Instead of the Rs 7,000 which is paid to every teacher of a primary school, she says she will manage with just Rs 2,000 and save the rest for a road and improving health care. Aiyar says he is impressed.
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