‘Need to adopt new normal in our lives’

Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MLA, Amritsar

Working at the forefront of relief operations during the lockdown, I have always demanded a special economic package for the city. A long standing demand, it is the only way the holy city will be able to stand back on its feet. Amritsar’s economic lifeline has always been the tourism and hospitality industry and it has completely collapsed due to the pandemic. About 80 per cent of our population is dependent on agrarian economy after this and with high unemployment, it means that we need to learn to be self reliant. There has to be a roadmap given by the Centre to rebuild the economy.

With negativity prevailing among every class of citizen due to the economic distress, we need to turn towards positive outcomes on our road to recovery. I feel we can rebuild our economy on agro-industry, as food industry is and will be a primary industry. We need to underline our strengths and potential alternate industries. My focus is to demand a special economic package from the Centre for the city, as it’s a border city and has a set of challenges before we can establish ourselves as a food industry hub. Industrial units, however limited they are, need support to be functional again. We are directly dependent on the Union Government for our funds as the state is already cash-strapped. I had given Rs1crore to Government Medical College to buy medical equipment and PPE kits. Now, with MPLADs suspended, we cannot directly give economic support as and when required.

One thing that I will stress on while talking about rebuilding is change in lifestyle. Given the situation, we need to adopt the new normal, reduce our extravagance and surplus expenses and try to work as a collaborative community in moving forward. It’s a difficult time for everyone and we can all come out of it together.

(As told to Neha Saini)