Cong MLA-SDM row takes political turn

Wednesday, 17/09/2014

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

FATEHGARH SAHIB: The controversy involving Congress MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra and subdivisional magistrate (SDM) Pooja Syal Grewal regarding the use of abusive language on Tuesday took a political turn as Congress workers burnt an effigy of the SDM alleging that she had insulted the MLA in public.

Meanwhile, the district president of women wing of SAD Balbir Kaur, along with other women supporters, handed over a memorandum to deputy commissioner Arun Sekhri, urging him to take action against the MLA for using “abusive language” against the SDM in public.

While burning the effigy, the Congress supporters, including Nagra’s wife Mandeep Kaur and former Congress councillors Hariana Ram, Gulshan Rai Bobby and Anand Mohan, slammed the SDM for “not following the protocol” and “insulting the MLA” at a meeting regarding an anti-encroachment drive held at Sirhind on Monday.

Meanwhile, former deputy speaker and former Sirhind MLA Bir Devinder issued a press release, saying it was unfortunate that an MLA resorted to hurling abuses at a woman officer in full public view, whatever may be the provocation.

He said no one disputes his right and duty to take up the cause of the public with the local administration, but at the same time, his public conduct should not cause sense of indignation to the serving officials.

He said the legislator is entitled to the observance of protocol, but he must bear in mind that the woman officer is also entitled to dignity and respect.

He said he would suggest to the deputy commissioner to arrange a meeting to sort out the matter amicably.

Deputy commissioner Arun Sekhri said both the MLA and SDM were out of town as the SDM had gone to attend training in Patiala whereas the MLA was also not in town. He said he would take action on Wednesday after hearing both.

Meanwhile, Nagra said he had submitted a complaint to the Vidhan Sabha speaker. He said he had been in politics for years and had never used abusive language against any officer.

CAPT TAKES EXCEPTION TO SDM’S ‘PROTOCOL BREACH’

AMRITSAR: Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh has taken a strong exception to the “breach of protocol” by Fatehgarh Sahib SDM Pooja Syal Grewal while dealing with his party MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra.

“Do not try to play utra-loyalists to the Akalis but do your job dutifully as you have to account for everything in the new regime that is not too far,” he warned the officers who were doing the bidding of some Akali leaders.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the former chief minister felt that the Vidhan Sabha speaker must take a suo motu notice of the incident and summon the SDM concerned for “breach of privileges of an elected legislator”.

“Just because someone belongs to the party that is not in power does not mean the officers should resort to behaviour unbecoming of them,” he observed.

Amarinder said everyone knew that Nagra is a responsible representative of the people.

JAKHAR SEEKS PROBE

CHANDIGARH: Expressing serious concern over the incident, Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar said such attempts would not be tolerated.

Jakhar said he would request the Vidhan Sabha speaker to conduct an independent inquiry into the controversy. He said the Congress workers and legislators had always held government officers, especially women, in high esteem, but there couldn’t be any compromise on ensuring their dignity too.

CM Parkash Singh Badal had recently observed that officers were by and large incapable of redressing the grievances of public and were also not fair in their service conduct. Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal had also, in a letter last month, advised government officers to ensure respect to legislators that they deserved. Jakhar said the extraconstitutional powers enjoyed by halqa incharge in each constituency were the root cause of the unfortunate situation.

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