Urban, suburban localities are govt’s priority: Ministers

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 26

Development of urban and suburban localities is on the anvil of the Punjab Government. The Punjab Finance Minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and PWD Minister Razia Sultana stated this while interacting with members of civic bodies of the area at Hazotha village near here today.

Justifying demands raised by councillors, led by the former municipal council president, Ravinder Puri, the Finance Minister and Local Bodies Minister said economic position of local bodies would be improved at all costs so that residents of urban and suburban localities could live a dignified life.

“We realise that more than 50 per cent population of the state live in cities and towns, condition of which cannot be termed satisfactory. Hence our government has decided to allot sufficient funds for providing civic amenities of standard level,” said Badal maintaining that quantum of developmental funds would be enhanced every year.

Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged that the previous government had facilitated pilferage of income of civic bodies by getting work of various projects done through favorites of SAD and BJP leaders.

“Astonishingly, the government did not go for statutory audit during the past two terms. Public funds worth crores were usurped with connivance of senior functionaries in the civic body department,” alleged Sidhu while maintaining that the government would force swindlers deposit the usurped money in treasury.

PWD Minister Razia Sultana said work on roads linking various localities would start soon and completed within the stipulated period.