Sasti Rasoi closed in Goniana, Bhucho

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 19

After a couple of months of its inception, the Sasti Rasoi in Goniana and Bhucho Mandi have been shut down.

The Sasti Rasoi in Goniana was inaugurated by Bhucho MLA Pritam Singh Kotbhai and Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra amidst much fanfare. The kitchens at both the places were functioning with the help of Red Cross Society, Bathinda, and were being run by the same firm which is handling Sasti Rasoi in Bathinda City.

Congress leaders and workers may had gained their share of mileage when the Sasti Rasoi was opened in Goniana. Now they are being criticized following the closure of the rasoi by the Red Cross Society. SAD district president and core committee member Balkar Singh Brar accused the Congress of not being able to sustain the welfare schemes launched by it.

“Not only for Sasti Rasoi, but for all the promises made before the elections, the Congress has not been able to deliver. The kitchen for the poor functioned for only a few months before being shut down. The party has been letting down members of all sections of the society,” Brar said.

Rikshaw Pullers’ Union president Swaran Singh said that at least 50 rikshaw pullers in and around Goniana were dependent on Sasti Rasoi for having a meal of the day at nominal price. He also accused the state government of discontinuing the scheme in Goniana and demanded that the rasoi be made functional once again.

Meanwhile, Red Cross Society secretary Navin Gadwal said that the Sasti Rasoi located in Goniana had failed to attract customers due to lack of adequate marketing strategy by the contractor.

“We had put up flexes and other means of advertisement but the contractor didn’t adopt marketing strategy. The contractor has given the department a letter stating that she would not continue to work at Goniana and Bhucho, so we have shut both the rasois,” Gadwal said.

He, however, also added that there was nothing to worry about as the society would soon allot the contract by calling fresh tenders.