A moment of warmth and administrative urgency marked Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s visit to Lokhan village in Kabirdham district on Monday, as part of the ‘Sushasan Tihar’ initiative. During a surprise inspection of an under-construction Panchayat building, the Chief Minister stepped beyond a routine review and engaged directly with labourers at the site. The visit took an unexpected turn when women workers invited him to join them for lunch. Accepting the gesture without hesitation, he sat on the ground alongside them and shared their meal. The workers had brought traditional dishes including bore basi (fermented rice), pan purwa roti, chana bhaji, charota bhaji, munga badi and mango chutney. Having eaten, the Chief Minister remarked on the deep cultural roots of the food, noting its connection to his own lifestyle. The informal setting also became an opportunity for governance at the grassroots.

 

While dining, Sai sought feedback from the women on the implementation of key welfare schemes such as the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The workers shared their experiences candidly, offering insight into the reach and effectiveness of these initiatives. Attention soon turned to local challenges. The women highlighted persistent drinking water shortages, particularly due to the region’s hilly terrain, where borewells and handpumps often fail, worsening the situation during summer months. Taking immediate cognisance, the Chief Minister directed officials to address the issue without delay. Upon consulting the District Collector, he was informed of a proposed drinking water scheme covering 26 villages, designed to supply water through pipelines from distant sources. The project, officials said, is technically ready for implementation.

 

Issuing clear instructions, Sai ordered that the scheme be approved at the earliest and work begin promptly on the ground. He underscored that effective governance lies in ensuring timely delivery of essential services and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to resolving public concerns with urgency and accountability.