Shillong, Feb 1 (IANS) Ram Kripal Yadav, union minister of state for drinking water and sanitation, Sunday visited a village in Meghalaya, interacted with villagers and looked at the condition of toilets and kitchens in a few houses.
Yadav visited the tin-covered house of Saralin Wankhar in Mawphlang Nongrum village in East Khasi Hills, 25 km from state capital Shilling.
He interacted with her and her school-going son.
Yadav was offered kwai (betel nut, betel leaf and lime) which he took. He inspected the kitchen and the toilet at Wankhar's home.
Yadav told IANS he visited the village following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direction that ministers should gain first-hand information about the problems confronting people.
"Your beautiful state need to progress ahead in development and Prime Minister Modi too is serious in ensuring rapid development," he said.
Wankhar said she "did not expect a union minister to step into my house, and spend time with us. No minister in the past made such a visit".
"I told him about our difficulties in the village and he promised that he will make efforts to bring development to our village."
Suktimai Lyngdoh Mawphlang, who waited outside Wankhar's house to interact with Yadav, said: "Not even our legislator makes such visits after winning the assembly election. They come and visit us only during election time to seek votes."
Yadav interacted with other villagers at the community hall where they complained about the non-availability of doctors.
He said he would place the people's grievances before Modi, and this would not be his last visit to the village.
"I will visit your village again, and we will have food together," he said.
Accompanied by government officials, Yadav visited the Mawphlang dam, the main source of water for Shillong and adjoining areas.
He tasted the water pumped from the dam, and remarked that the water was "sweet".
Yadav said the central government has enhanced the financial package, under the Total Sanitation Scheme, for the construction of a toilet and to provide safe drinking water from Rs.3,000 to Rs.12,000.
BJP Convention: In the BJP convention, PM Modi targeted the Congress, saying - it has been their policy to divide every region.
Prime Minister Modi, citing his visit to South India during the fast observed before the consecration in Ayodhya, hinted at unexpected results in favor of the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Pushpa 2: Allu Arjun's film has earned equal to 'Fighter' even before its release, know what is the deal in Hindi
Fans have been waiting for Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 The Rule for a long time. This is one of the most talked about films of this year. Recently the teaser of this film was released, in which the Telugu
Obama, Michelle to miss Taj, travel to Riyadh instead
Agra/Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) The much-anticipated visit by US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle to Agra to view the Taj Majal has been cancelled and the US first couple would instead
India-China border dispute: 14th Corps Commander level talks may be held after December 15, hot springs will remain the issue
India and China are likely to hold the 14th round of Corps Commander talks in the second half of December to resolve the ongoing standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The
Let NJAC work before questioning its efficacy, says government
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The central government on Wednesday strongly opposed the plea seeking to restrain it from setting up a panel to make appointments to the higher judiciary, replacing the
CBSE instructions: If you miss both the term exams, you will not be able to give the compartment exam, know the rules
CBSE has released the guidelines regarding compartment exam eligibility and results for the students appearing in the term-based board examinations of classes 10th and 12th. Under this, CBSE has told
Russia-Ukraine war, Putin's challenge to Western countries: Said- If you want to support Ukraine, then fight us; 3 killed in Russian airstrike in Kharkiv
The Russia-Ukraine war, which has been going on for more than 4 months, continues. Russia's intentions are visible from the attacks in Ukraine and the statements of President Putin. Now Russian
Jammu Kashmir: Tension after hate speech in Bhaderwah, the administration imposed a curfew
Conspiracies are continuing to create tension in Bhaderwah (Doda) and Kishtwar districts through provocative speeches. On Thursday, hate-filled and provocative rhetoric was made from Bhaderwah's
Animal Box Office Collection: Aamir Khan also accepted defeat in front of 'Animal', the record of his biggest film broken
Animal Box Office Collection: 'Animal' is showing no sign of stopping at the box office. This action-packed movie, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has created a stir at the box office. 10 days have
This 'Heeramandi' actress will be seen on the red carpet of Cannes this time with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, know details
Like every year, this year too the biggest film festival i.e. Cannes Film Festival (Cannes Film Festival 2024) is going to start. The 77th Cannes Film Festival will begin
