Eyeing MC poll, CM announces `363.43 cr grant for Jalandhar’s development
Friday, 27/10/2017
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Jalandhar : Eyeing ensuing Municipal Corporation (MC) elections, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced Rs 363.43 crore grant for various ongoing and new development projects in of the city.
The CM also announced Rs 1,000 crore Asian Development Bank (ADB) project of canal water for drinking water, where water from Beas and Sutlej rivers would be utilised to meet the demand of potable water.
This was Captain Amarinder’s maiden visit to Jalandhar post coming to power, where he held party workers meet at DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology (DAVIET) Jalandhar.
Addressing the gathering, the CM said that ADB was already conducting a feasibility study at a cost of Rs 3 crore, which once implemented would resolve the drinking water problem in all the major cities of Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Patiala in the state. “Instead of being dependent on tubewells and canals, potable water would be available through Beas and Sutlej rivers,” he said.
The CM also said that the installation and development of water systems, sewage treatment plant, roads, streets and streetlights were some of the other development works for which would be completed in the city.
Captain Amarinder also sanctioned Rs 50 crore for expediting the prestigious Smart City Project, along with new development works worth Rs 42.43 crore, which was part of the Rs 363 crore development package of city.
The Rs 346 crore AMRUT scheme also received a shot in the arm, with the state government sanctioning Rs 190 crore for the execution of several critical works under it.
Under AMRUT scheme, Rs 40 crore would spent on strengthening of water supply system and Rs 150 crore on the construction and upgradation of 100 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The CM also announced Rs 81 crore grant for ongoing work and meeting of liabilities under the Urban Mission (PIDB).
Further, the CM announced one-time settlement of property and house tax, besides one time settlement of old arrears of water and sewerage charges. Amarinder disclosed that on the recommendation of Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, the work on the establishment of a Directorate of Fire Services at state level had also begun.
The CM said that the state government has announced 50 seat reservation for women in urban local bodies on the directions of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He also highlighted that free of cost homes for homeless people and subsidized houses for economically weaker sections were also being provided under the Shehri Awaas Yojna.
Captain Amarinder also announced E-Governance in delivery of Urban Civic Services project, where most services would be made available through Mobile App. He said that this would streamline and improve public access to various civic processes and systems in the state.
Earlier, local MLAs including Pargat Singh, Sushil Kumar Rinku, Rajinder Beri, Bawa Avtar Singh Henry, Surinder Chaudhary and local MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary listed demands for their respective constituencies. The MLAs assured clean sweep in Jalandhar MC elections.
‘Can’t take action against Majithia without concrete evidence in drugs case’
Jalandhar : Even as a section of Congress MLAs mounted pressure, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that he could not take action against SAD general secretary and MLA Bikram Singh Majithia in a drugs case without concrete evidence.
Captain Amarinder Singh said that four national agencies including the Special Task Force (STF) headed by ADGP Harpreet Singh Sidhu was probing the drugs mafia cases in Punjab. “I also personally feel that Bikram Singh Majithia and some other Akalis leaders might have been involved in drugs trading and trafficking in the state, but I am waiting for concrete evidence to act against them,” he said.
The CM said that his government would assist the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in any investigation against Majithia but could not take any action till the completion of the ongoing investigation. “Our government would not spare Majithia or anyone else proved guilty in drugs trading in the state,” he said, assuring the Congress MLAs who had been seeking action against the Akali MLA.
On Wednesday, a section of Congress MLAs held a rally at Majitha demanding action against Bikram Singh Majithia from Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. The rally was held to mount pressure on CM to initiate action against the SAD general secretary.
Notably, the CM was vocal against the previous SAD-BJP government during assembly elections and assured to take action against them after coming to power.
Responding to another query, the Chief Minister castigated Indian-origin Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan and newly-elected NDP leader Jagmeet Singh for trying to whip up communal passions in India with their irresponsible and inflammatory statements.
Captain Amarinder said that if these two leaders considered themselves Indians, then they should not make statements which could fan disharmony and destabilise Punjab. “Did Harjit Singh Sajjan or Jagmeet Singh ever stay in Punjab? Were they even aware of what dark days of terrorism was all about? They should first realise that what they are saying, as it could have an adverse impact on the state,” he said.
On the power tariff hike, the Chief Minister said he also felt strongly about it, but the decision was taken by the regulator and his government could not interfere in the matter. The CM also ruled out any move to impose a Pet Tax in the state, saying there was no discussion or proposal in this regard.
Giving the rationale for the government’s decision to close down 800 primary schools with less than 20 students, the CM said that these schools were being amalgamated with other institutions for better efficiencies and upgradation of education standards.
