GANGOLIHAT: It was a much hyped affair, the likes of which the nondescript Timta village in Gangolihat block of Pithoragarh district , had never seen. People made a beeline to see local MP and Union state minister for textile Ajay Tamta ‘adopting’ their village in a grand ceremony in April 2018.Therefore, it came as a rude shock when proposals sent by the gram pradhan were shot down due to lack of funds and the residents were told that the government order for the adoption was never released.Nandi Devi, gram pradhan, Timta, told TOI, “Tamta had told us that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked MPs to adopt villages and turn them into ‘Adarsh villages’ and he has chosen our village. He also held a 10-day camp to address grievances of the people. After that, we sent proposals for water supply scheme in the village, a 10-bed primary hospital, a veterinary hospital, a 3km road to the village and several other developmental projects. But we were told that there were no funds available.”Joga Singh, a local resident who runs a shop in the village, added, “We were told that the village has been adopted by the MP but the situation never changed. The biggest problem of the area that is lack of drinking water supply has remained as it is. We feel cheated.”The residents also added that no money was spent in the village from the MPLAD fund in the last five years.Manohar Chanyal, village development officer, Timta, told TOI, “During the camp by Tamta, the news spread that he was adopting the village. Media reports also stated the same but no government order regarding the adoption of the village under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna was released.”Despite repeated attempts, Tamta was unavailable for comment.Meanwhile, Shyam Chand, block development officer when contacted said that “other developmental works were carried out in the village soon after Tamta’s camp.” “Bank accounts of all villagers were opened, gas connections were distributed under Ujjwala scheme, job cards created under MGNREGA and electricity provided.”

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