Funds approved by Sukhbir for projects in Malerkotla awaited

Tuesday, 14/10/2014

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SANGRUR: Almost nine months after deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal approved projects worth about ` 5 crore for developmental works in Malerkotla town, not even a single penny has reached the sub- division so far and no work has been started on any project.

It was on January 15 when the deputy chief minister, during a ‘Sangat Darshan’ organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Lok Sabha aspirant Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, had given his approval for upgrading the bus stand and the government high school, sewerage connectivity, besides a separate allocation of ` 60 lakh for the installation of CCTV cameras in the tension-prone Malerkotla town to keep an eye on mischiefmongers and better monitoring of the town,

“As Malerkotla is the city inhabited by people of all religions and castes, it is a very sensitive city of the state. I assure you that all your demands will be fulfilled soon, but I also want your assurance to vote and support Dhindsa in the coming Lok Sabha elections,” Sukhbir had said after approving the demands during the ‘Sangat Darshan’ programme.

But even after a long wait, the money for these projects has not reached the local authorities concerned yet.

Though, most of the demands were long-pending, but the demand of ` 60 lakh for installation of CCTV cameras was made by the Malerkotla police, which had prepared a plan to keep a vigil on all sensitive locations of the city on mischief-makers.

According to a senior officer of the police, “We have identified 27 locations in the town, where CCTV cameras would be installed to keep an eye on activities on all main roads and points of the town. As per the plan, a control room will also be set up at a police station, where the police officers will get the footage of these cameras.”

“But, the money, approved by the deputy chief minister, has not been received,” he added.

Sub-divisional magistrate ( SDM) , Malerkotla, Amit Bambi said, “The money for the projects approved at the ‘Sangat Darshan’ has not reached yet for the CCTV cameras, but we have already sent the file to the higher authorities.”

“But, we are not requesting the people to install CCTV cameras at their properties, especially in shops.”

He added, “We are getting good response and almost 50% of the main roads and key locations have already been covered with the assistance of people,” he added.

About the reason behind the delay in allocation of funds despite approval by the deputy chief minister, he said, “We are hopeful that the money will reach us soon.”