Hazaribagh, Nov. 3: Miraz, a vendor, knows how to make the most of foundation stones.

External affairs minister and Hazaribagh MP Yashwant Sinha had laid the foundation stone for the beautification of the main road on July 15, 2001, at Indrapuri Chowk. But, as with other projects, the work on the beautification plan did not begin after the glittering foundation-day ceremony.

Miraz, a fruit-seller, was quick to utilise the space — and the stone. The place became the cornerstone of Mirza’s business. He sits on the stone and sells fruits.

The minister, who had been branded “Foundation Sinha” for his propensity to lay foundation stones for a slew of projects, had visited Karamtand in Padma two months ago to monitor the construction of a SAI centre.

When he did so again on Sunday, while returning from Koderma, there was no progress on the construction front since his last visit.

The villagers told Sinha that the work had begun in a haphazard manner. Sinha was told that in the past two months, the authorities concerned had employed labourers to clean the 47.7 acres of land. Sinha returned to Hazaribagh, directing the officials to ensure that work begins immediately.

Several other projects have met the same fate. The minister, who had announced to convert the Hazaribagh aerodrome into a hi-tech hub, has drawn flak from several quarters for failing to provide a proper health centre to the residents.

The residents said the condition of Sadar Hospital is the reflection of poor health infrastructure in the district. The hospital does not have a proper roof and uninterrupted electricity and water supply. The problem of the hospital, branded bhut bangla by the residents, is compounded by paucity of staff and lack of life-saving drugs.

Sinha had on several occasions announced to establish an advanced hospital in the town. He had laid the foundation stone for a medical college in Silwar. Actor Shatrughan Sinha, when he was Union health minister, had promised to open a super-speciality hospital in Hazaribagh. The pledge by the BJP stalwarts turned out to be empty promises.

When asked about the pace of development work this afternoon at circuit house, Sinha termed it “satisfactory”.

Thanks to Hazaribagh being the Lok Sabha constituency of Sinha, a large number of dignitaries and business houses had lined up to promise different projects. But barring a water supply project, sanctioned long ago, work is still to start on any of the other projects.

Some of the other projects, for which union ministers laid foundation stones in recent months, are an indoor stadium (Rs 1.19 crore), outdoor stadium in Ramgarh and Hazaribagh (Rs 78.59 lakh), multi gymnasium in Hazaribagh town and Ramgarh (Rs 20 lakh).