‘I have never ignored Punjab for the sake of development of my own constituency’

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 18

Anil Joshi represents Amritsar North constituency in the state legislative Assembly. Born in Sanghe village in the neighbouring Tarn Taran district, he preferred to contest from Amritsar.

His decision did not prove him wrong as he was successfully elected in the 2007 Assembly election. He was re-elected from the same seat in 2012.

He was often accused of ignoring the rest of the state for nursing his constituency, which he vehemently opposed.

As a Local Bodies Minister, what have you delivered for the holy city?

I was instrumental in getting Amritsar declared a heritage town. It helped city receive funds magnanimously from the Centre and its beautification was accelerated. Jalandhar and Ludhiana, apart from Amritsar are expected to be declared smart cities in the next list, which will hopefully be released by the Union government in the next few weeks.

Grown up boys and girls find little opportunities and playgrounds to learn the sport of their choice. What is your take?

In my tenure, I came up a proposal and even got drawing of Gandhi cricket ground prepared by the Amritsar Improvement Trust for its elevation to international ground. However, it was rejected by the Cricket authorities on the condition that the existing ground does not fulfil the criterion laid for international venues. Land will be procured on the city outskirts to set up an international cricket ground.

Historic Ram Bagh, housing summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was developed into a picnic spot with a musical fountain and Children’s Park was also revived. Similarly, landscaping of Amrit Anand Park was also undertaken. Laser show will be installed there soon. A cycle track will be developed near Trilium Mall. Open air gymnasium will be set up at different parks in the city.

As a Medical Education Minister, how have you improved the functioning of Government Medical College, which also falls in your North Assembly constituency?

A grant of Rs 104 crore was allocated to the medical college to raise a new hostel, sophisticated classrooms and other infrastructure. Earlier, de-addiction and rehabilitation centre was also opened at the college. Besides the college got sanction for 50 more MBBS seats during my tenure.

For a fairly long period, you also remained Industries, Commerce, Industrial Training and Technical Education Minister. Do you think that your association with these ministries proved beneficial for city residents?

It was in my tenure that financial bonanza to industrialists of the state was extended as one time loan worth Rs 1,300 crore was waived on the occasion of Prakash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh some years ago. It was an attempt to revive the dormant and closed industries in the state. Major benefit went to industries in the border districts as its 409 units got nearly Rs 566 crore loan waiver. They had to pay only Rs 59 crore against the total loan of Rs 625 crore. Besides, industries in border districts were charged interest at the rate of six per cent. The Punjab Financial Corporation waived off the debt to the tune of Rs 566 crore to industries, which suffered maximum losses over a decade long militancy in the state.

Besides, multi skill development centres were opened in the state. ITI at Ranjit Avenue achieved hundred per cent placement. All technical institutes in the state were directed to introduce courses to train youth to enable them to run pollution control plants in industries.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) was opened in Amritsar. I keenly lobbied with the state government to get land allocated for the IIM.

Do you think you have addressed problems of sanitation, encroachment, dog menace, pollution and other vital civic amenities in the city?

The BRTS is expected to become operational in some months. It will bring down automobile pollution on city roads as city residents will get alternate means of transport. It will also address the issue of traffic as large number of commuters will shift from two and four-wheelers to the mass transport.

What are the fresh projects for the city?

A: I have taken up the matter of setting up an international trade centre at the place where old Amritsar Central Jail existed, besides setting up of information technology industry with the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Street lights of all main roads of the city will be replaced with LED bulbs.