Of Rs 91 crore for fire services, SAD-BJP spent Rs 17 cr: Sidhu

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 21

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has accused the previous SAD-BJP government of not utilising the grants sanctioned by the Centre for upgrading the fire-fighting system.

“Punjab was the only state in the country that failed to upgrade its fire-fighting system. All other states spent crores of rupees to strengthen their fire stations,” he told the media at Christian Medical College and Hospital here today.

He visited the hospital to enquire about the health of four firefighters injured in a fire that broke out in a local textile factory on May 11.

“Had they (firefighters) been provided with proper equipment and safety kits, they would have escaped unhurt,” Sidhu said. He termed firefighters “bahadur” (brave) and “jaanbaaz” (daredevil).

“The Centre had issued Rs 91 crore to Punjab to upgrade its fire services. Of the first instalment of Rs 45 crore, the Department of Local Government spent only Rs 17 crore. The balance amount lapsed after March 31, 2017,” the minister said, adding that “forget about the second instalment. The previous government failed to utilise the first instalment. As a result, the fire-fighting system is ailing”.

As the state government failed to produce the “utilisation certificate” regarding the usage of grant, Punjab was put in a “red zone” by the Centre, Sidhu said.

“The previous government did tremendous damage to the state. The Congress government is in a damage-control mode. Give us a few months and it will produce results,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sidhu said four firefighters, who were hurt in the May 11 fire incident in Ludhiana, would be honoured during the Annual Fire Service Week in April next year.

“These brave firefighters will be awarded with medals for showing exemplary courage to save others’ lives. I will make sure that the Fire Department becomes one of the best in the country,” he said.