Ahead of civic polls, CM’s Rs 363-cr sops for Jalandhar

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 26

Ahead of the civic polls in four cities, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today announced Rs 363.43 crore for implementation of various ongoing and new schemes in the city.

At a press conference here, the CM announced various development schemes, including Rs 1,000-crore Asian Development Bank (ADB) project for using river water for drinking purposes. "This fund is only for Jalandhar. Amritsar, Patiala and Ludhiana will also get the scheme. We will use the water of both Beas and the Sutlej," he said.

The CM said: "The ADB has already conducted a feasibility study by spending Rs 3 crore. It will enable drawing water directly from the rivers instead of tubewells, which could not be used in many places because of brackish underground water."

The Chief Minister also announced one-time settlement of property/house tax and arrears of water and sewerage charges. He disclosed that work on the setting up of a directorate of fire services at the state level had also begun.

He talked about e-Governance in the delivery of urban civic services, with most services to be made available through mobile apps.

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was present on the occasion, said the eSewa service announced by the CM would be launched soon and transcripts of layout plans of residential properties would be made available online.

Capt: Upset over power tariff hike

On nearly 10 per cent hike in power tariff for the domestic and commercial consumers, the CM said: “Mainu vi is te ros hai (Even I am upset over it). It has been done by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission.”

‘Will end mafias’

On no headway in investigations into the activities of sand, transport and cable mafia in the state, Amarinder said, “Please give us time to set things in order. It has been a few months since we came to power.”

‘Education priority’

Regarding the setting up of a regulatory authority for private colleges and universities, he said: “The government's intention is to ensure that the institutions impart quality education and have a good placement for all students as is the case with Thapar University.”

Amarinder’s largesse

• Rs 1,000-crore ADB-sponsored drinking water project 
• Rs 50 crore to be spent under the Smart City project
• Rs 190 crore for upgrading sewerage/tubewells

Facilities on cards

• Payment of utility bills through mobile apps
• eSewa for layout plans of residential properties
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for sports/leather industry
• Sports university, already passed in the Assembly