Hamirpur constituency of Himachal Pradesh has witnessed more political upheaval than development work in the past few years. Despite being marginalised, the residents of Hamirpur actively engage in politics. It has seen by polls twice and was also in news for disqualification of former BJP MP Suresh Chandel who figured in the cash-on camera scam, where some MP?s were seen demanding money for asking questions in Parliament. This time Anurag Thakur, son of chief minister of the state, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal and also a famous cricketer, is seeking re-election. He won the by-election to Lok Sabha from this constituency by a record margin of 1.7 lakh votes in 2008. BJP enjoys a stronghold in the region and had bagged 12 Assembly seats out of 17 in 2008.

The political scene turned hot with Congress fielding Narender Thakur, son of Late Thakur Jagdev Chand, who was a well-respected BJP leader. Disenchanted by the BJP, Narender joined the Congress party recently. While Congress initially gave the ticket to former test cricketer Madan Lal to counter Anurag?s cricket exploits, it was forced to retract. Though the BJP candidate enjoys huge advantage being Dhumal?s son, his rival is sparing no efforts to embarrass the saffron party with his claims of knowing the party inside out. Local issues and voters? loyalties based on caste will decide the swing of the vote.

My Voice

Premjeet Sharma Bhadhar

We have been facing scarcity of drinking water for the last few years. There are no streetlights in any village in Hamirpur either. Roads connecting our village to highways are not in good condition. The state government needs to do something. Politicians come and talk to us only during the elections and make false promises.

Hiralal Kandhor

My vote is reserved for the candidate who promises to carry out the development plans as soon as possible. Though the infrastructure of the village has improved, the roads are not being maintained. There is no problem of drinking water in our village. But more employment opportunities should be created for the youth.

Sheela Devi Badagaon

There?s acute shortage of drinking water in our village and condition of roads is also poor. The benefits of the welfare schemes run by the state government hardly reach us. Many women entitled to widow pension have been waiting for years. After coming to power, politicians hardly pay any visit to our village.

Infrastructure development

Transport

The nearest airport is in Gaggal (Kangra), 83 km away from Hamirpur. There is no direct train service to Hamirpur and even the nearest railway station is in Una, 80 km away. A project to widen a 45 km stretch from Batsar-Jahu in the district is underway. Only 1,070 villages have secured road connectivity and remaining 527 villages are still unconnected. In the last five years, only 440 km have been upgraded.

Water

Though the implementation of lift water supply scheme brought major relief in Hamirpur, many remote villages still complain of irregular water supply. Executed with Rs 67.47 crore, the scheme benefited over one lakh people in 214 villages and will get completed within a year.

Industrial measures

The economy thrives on agriculture with wheat, maize, paddy rice, vegetables, plums, peaches, and apricots as the main crops. The town does not have a single large or medium industry but there are 940 small and cottage industries engaged in soap making, wood carving, silk weaving etc. A industrial estate is also in the offing.

Education

With an impressive literacy rate of 83.16%, Hamirpur boasts of a National Institute of Technology (NIT), a PG college, two government and four private schools. The Centre has granted Rs 10 crore for an Institute of Hotel Management and there are plans of setting up a medical college on the Public Private Partnership model as well.