Danewala community hall awaits funds for completion

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Malout, June 22

It’s been more than a year since the Congress formed the government in the state, but some development projects, started during the previous SAD-BJP government, are still incomplete.

For instance, a community hall at Danewala village near here, which is near completion, is awaiting funds since long.

As a result, its roof has developed holes, floor has been damaged and the outer plaster of the building has started coming off.

Sukhpal Singh, sarpanch of Danewala village, said, “The work was started during the SAD-BJP government around 2012, but it could not complete till date. We have met the SDM and Deputy Commissioner a number of times, given applications, but to no avail. The Rural Development Department was the construction agency and the work was being done under the supervision of the local SDM. Nearly Rs 35-40 lakh has been spent so far, but the building has failed to serve any purpose.”

He added, “If we get the centre, village residents will be able to organise their functions here at a nominal price. Now, we have to hire private halls and marriage palaces, which charge hefty amount. We had even proposed the authorities concerned to run the centre on public-private-partnership, so that a private firm completes the remaining construction work, but they said rules do not allow it.”

Sukhpal Singh said some other works in the village were also left incomplete.

“The volleyball ground is also left incomplete. Nearly half of the work has been done. Further, the village panchayat had built streets and drains, but the payment is yet to be made by the state government. Our village has four dharamshalas, but one of them is under illegal possession of a resident,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, some village residents said the incomplete building of the community hall was proving a safe haven for addicts and was giving shelter to animals.

The Block Development and Panchayats Officer (BDPO), Malout, Kulwinder Singh, said, “I assumed the charge here three months ago and am unaware of it. I will check the records and then be able to comment on it.”