Baldev Khaira has plans for picnic spots along Sutlej, recreation centres in villages

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 17

Having emerged triumphant against sitting Jalandhar MP’s son, Vikramjit Chaudhay, ex-MP-cum-former state president of BSP Avtar Singh Karimpuri, first-time MLA and Akali leader Baldev Khaira (36) has all the reasons to be upbeat.

Khaira, who faced opposition even of the ex-MLAs of his party Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Avinash Chander, is undeterred even as his party has not come to power. “My job is to get the works done for the people, come what may. Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had given grants to the tune of Rs 40 crore in his last sangat darshan in my area. Less than half of this amount has been used since then. With the remaining amount in hand, I will not have any problem for the first two years as works will continue on till then. By that time, parliamentary polls will be around, the Congress government in the state will surely have to give out doles again for all Assembly constituencies,” he revealed in his strategy.

An ex-BSP leader, Khaira has his line of action clear, “I have been in the Opposition for 13 years (He had polled over 42,000 votes from Phillaur as BSP candidate in 2012). Now at least I am an MLA and I know how to get the work done. I am not in favour of staging dharnas. I have enough convincing power. Dharnas have always been my last resort. But if need be, my dharnas will be so big that the ruling party leaders will have to bow down to fulfil my demand.”

Picnic spot along Sutlej

The young MLA has some innovative ideas. “I plan to have some recreation activities along the Sutlej. As we take a link road from the Punjab Police Academy towards Gandhi Dham, there is a part of the river bed which we can use for walk along the river and set up a chaupati. With the road getting relaid, streetlights put up, it will be nothing short of the evening scene at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh,” he shared his plan. “The Dham is already frequented by Gandhi followers not just on October 2 but also otherwise,” he said.

Recreation centres

Khaira also has plans to set up common places or recreation centres for women of the Phillaur and Goraya areas. “While the menfolk of our area have the option to go to clubs, there is no such facility for the women of our area. We need to ensure some social activities for them too. After all, they comprise 50 per cent of the population. At such centres, they will be able to hold cultural activities such as Karwachauth functions, Teej celebrations or even seminars and awareness programmes,” he outlined.

Staff, facilities for Civil Hospital

Khaira claims that while the SAD-BJP government in its fag end had managed to complete the civil works of a 20-bedded Civil Hospital at Goraya at a cost of nearly Rs 10 crore, the provision of required infrastructure and the appointment of doctors could not be done. “My party workers had insisted that I should inaugurate the building before elections to gain some mileage, but I did not want to open a half-done project. Now, I will press upon the Congress government to get the project implemented and ensure health facilities for them at their doorstep,” he said.

Stadium for youth

While the youth of the area have an option to use the track of PPA Phillaur and the grounds of a football club at Rurkan Kalan, there is no other government sports facility in Goraya or Phillaur towns falling in the constituency. “A stadium or ground should come for the youth of the area,” he said.

‘Will support Capt on drugs’

Despite being in the Opposition, Khaira has no plans to show his back on any good project of the Congress. “I will fully support the new Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh as he gets into action on eliminating drug menace. I will provide the cops the required information, put up signages and do whatever is needed from my side as an MLA. I will also not tolerate any corruption and will straightaway report against any official indulging in bribery or favouritism,” he added.

Sewage work to be completed

As the proper discharge of sewer in the constituency has been a long-pending problem, Khaira claims that most of it has already been done. “Only some areas remain to be covered. These too will be soon attached with the sewer lines,” he concluded.