In the last two years, Ranbir Gangwa, 60, has emerged as the prominent face of the backward classes in Haryana’s ruling BJP.
Gangwa, who was recently elected to the state assembly from Barwala constituency in Hisar district, has been given the charge of public health engineering and public works (buildings and roads) in the Naib Singh Saini cabinet.
Kumhar, whose caste falls under Haryana’s Backward Class (BC-A) list, says Gangwa is one of the most backward castes in the region. Jangras (Khati) and Sai Samaj (Nai) are other BC-A communities in the state. Gangwa is known to be a voice for these communities.
As Public Health Engineering Minister, Gangwa says his focus is on improved implementation of the Haryana Swarna Jayanti Mahagram Yojana (SMAGY) under which drinking water and sewerage facilities will be provided to villages within the city framework.
“This scheme is for villages with a population of 10,000 or more. The government has already identified 144 villages under this scheme. Work has been completed in 16 villages and five more will be completed by the end of this year,” Gangwa told The Indian Express. “We have built infrastructure in these villages keeping future needs in mind. Street lights will also be installed at important locations.
Speaking about Haryana’s road network, the minister said that he would try to ensure its maintenance in the best possible way.
What Gangwa wants is a speedy mechanism to resolve public grievances. “I have asked the authorities to resolve the grievances of the people within seven days. We will improve the image of Public Health Engineering Department and PWD. We will not tolerate corruption.”
Ranbir Gangwa: Haryana Assembly from Hisar Zilla Parishad
Ranbir Gangwa entered politics in 2000 after being elected to the Hisar Zilla Parishad. In 2005, he was re-elected and became its vice president. Four years later, former Chief Minister Omprakash Chautala fielded him on an Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) ticket from Nalwa assembly constituency. However, Congress candidate and former minister Sampat Singh won the election in which former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal’s wife Jasma Devi was also in the fray for the Haryana Janhit Congress.
Later, Gangwa was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2010 on an INLD ticket. In 2014, the party again fielded him from the Nalwa assembly seat and he defeated Haryana Janhit Congress’s Sampat Singh and former deputy chief minister Chandra Mohan.
After the INLD split in 2018, Gangwa joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 elections. He was elected from Nalwa and became the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Earlier this year, he was re-elected to the state assembly from Barwala constituency.
Ranbir Gangwa’s preference
Implementation of Mahagram Yojana in 144 villages
• Better maintenance of road network in Haryana
• Action on public complaints within 7 days
• Action against corruption
• Improving the image of PWD (Buildings and Roads), Public Health Engineering Department
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