21 months on, kin of two deceased firefighters await job

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 29

More than 21 months have passed after a plastic-manufacturing factory collapsed following a fire, but the kin of two deceased firefighters are still waiting for a job. Amarson Polymers situated near Suffian Chowk had collapsed on November 20, 2017, killing 16 persons, including nine firefighters.

The state government had promised to provide a job each to the kin of all nine firefighters killed in the incident. Jobs have been provided to the kin of six deceased firefighters while one has been reserved for the child of another deceased firefighter, according to information.

The kin of deceased firefighters Manpreet Singh and Sukhdev Singh are running from pillar to post to get a job. The bodies of Manpreet Singh and Sukhdev Singh were not found even after a manual search of the debris of the collapsed factory. They were later officially declared dead.

MC resolution needed in Manpreet’s case

Malkit Singh, father of deceased Manpreet Singh, said: “My son was 25-year-old when he lost his life in the factory collapse. After his death, I had requested the authorities concerned to provide a job to my daughter Harpreet Kaur, who is the elder sister of Manpreet. She is double MA.”

“Earlier, the process was delayed due to some objections. The officials told me that my son was not a regular employee. I told the officials that my son was performing duty at the factory on fire the same as the regular firefighters. I appeal to the government to not delay the process anymore and provide a job to my daughter,” he said.

Malkit Singh met the Deputy Mayor, who assured him that a resolution to provide a job to Harpreet Kaur would be presented before MC house soon. It is required to mention that last house meeting was held in March.

Sukhdev’s wife, father stake separate claims

The kin of another deceased firefighter, Sukhdev Singh, are also waiting for a job. However, there was a dispute between Sukhdev’s parents and his wife.

Sukhdev’s wife, Kamlesh Kaur (34), said: “I had applied for a job after the death of my husband but I am still waiting for the same. I have three daughters and we all live at my paternal home now. Our youngest daughter was just 28 days old when my husband was killed in the factory collapse. I want the government to provide me with a job at the earliest.”

Sukhdev Singh’s father Parkash Singh said: “We have requested the government to provide a job to Sukhdev’s brother.”

A Congress leader, Parminder Mehta, said: “Manpreet’s father told me that the civic body had not provided a job to a member of the family to date. I will take up the matter with the higher authorities. When the government had announced a job each for the kin of all deceased firefighters, why is the MC delaying the process?”

Resolution ready, to be put before next house: Civic body

Zonal Commissioner Surinder Pal said: “After the fire incident, the Chief Minister and the then Local Bodies Minister had announced a job each to the families of deceased. Manpreet and Sukhdev were outsourced from a company, and were not regular employees of the MC. The government has sent a letter and asked the MC to send a resolution on providing jobs to the kin of these two firefighters. The resolution has been prepared and it will be presented before the next house meeting.”