Public role vital in Jalandhar’s development, says Mayor

Sunil Jyoti took over as the Mayor of Jalandhar in 2012. Despite an ailing heart, he marched ahead towards getting the city 28th all-India ranking in the Swachh Bharat Mission. Nothing stopped this man who made sincere efforts to get the city included in the smart city list only to be left behind by a mere one point by Ludhiana. Tribune correspondent Rachna Khaira talks to Jyoti whose dream is to get the city included in the smart city slot and who has worked to improve the civic infrastructure recently. 

We missed the smart city race from Ludhiana by just one point. What according to you went wrong? What are the prospects of the city for the smart city listing?

The small margin itself proves that we were on the right track as far as the planning of our vision document is concerned. However, the ailing fiscal health and less participation by residents in the public poll played the spoilsport for the city securing a berth in the top 20 cities. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal recently assured us to provide support to improve the fiscal health of the Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar (MCJ) and we, too, will create more awareness among people so as to bring them on board in the next phase of the smart city selection.

The city was amongst the first one to implement the solid waste management scheme in the state. However, the concept failed miserably. What according to you is the main reason for the failure and how are you going to deal with the challenge?

The never-ending controversy over the installation of a solid waste management plant at Jamsher village due to the strong protest by villagers at the behest of the area MLA has resulted in the failure of the project in the city. The controversy is expected to be resolved during the forthcoming visit of the Deputy Chief Minister this week.

How will you carry forward the smart city mission without the establishment of the solid waste management plant?

The Swachh Bharat Mission cannot move ahead in the city without the establishment of the solid waste management plant at Jamsher village. The city generates around 500 tonnes of solid waste in a month and there is absolutely no way to process it. The garbage collected over 50 years ago in the city is still lying untreated at Wariana. The people must understand that the MSW plant is the need of the hour and the city residents must support the cause and should not block it. Also, we got a survey conducted in the city pertaining to the availability of toilets in each urban household. Only 600 households are left so far and would soon be provided the toilet facility.

The menace of stray dogs refuses to end despite the issue having been raised many times at the General House meetings? Where is the glitch?

The sterilisation of a single dog takes around Rs 3,000 and we did not have adequate funds to move the project ahead. However, we recently passed a resolution in the general House meeting to reserve 5 per cent of the money collected as cow cess for the sterilisation of dogs. Till a proper dog pond comes at Nangal Shama village, we are going to work with the project at the existing veterinary hospital there.

How do you plan to eliminate corruption in the local government?

Corruption has to be fought collectively and with the support of the people. Though I receive numerous complaints pertaining to corrupt practices allegedly adopted by my officials, none comes forward when people are called to my office.

How do you plan to deal with the influx of migrants moving into the city from poorer surrounding towns and communities, including nearby states?

The city being a sports and industrial hub is overburdened by the heavy influx of migrant population during the past few years. Though we tried to match the development pace with that of their arrival, many factors, including ailing fiscal health of the MCJ, stopped us from doing so. However, with some recent projects announced by the Central Government, including “Home for all” and “National Livelihood Mission”, we are sure to provide them a decent living experience in the city along with upgrading the existing civic infrastructure in the city.

How can the city contribute to reduce pollution and protect the planet’s ozone layer?

The state government is planning to put a blanket ban on the use of plastic in the state. We, too, have passed a resolution pertaining to this in the general House meeting held recently. Also, people must subscribe to the MSW Company for garbage lifting. Nevertheless, they should also save and help in water conservation by getting registered for the water meter policy announced recently.

You always share an all hate-no love relation with Akali leader and Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljeet Singh Bhatia. Don’t you think this has actually hampered the development of the city in many ways?

Yes, It has indeed hampered the development of the city many a time in the last few years. The ruling party leaders must support its alliance partners in the development works and should not work as an opposition party. Many times, we had to postpone the Finance and Contract Committee meetings due to the non-availability of the Senior Deputy Mayor and other allies of the ruling government.

Recently, the state government formed a committee under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners who would look after and approve development works in their respective cities. Your take on the new arrangement by the state government.

I call it a breach of the sovereignty of local government. Federalism is not good for area-based development, especially when elected members are there to carry out development works. Also, funds collected from an area should be spent on the development of that particular area and should not be deposited entirely in the Central pool for the universal development of the state.

After having modernised the city you govern, how would you like to be remembered after you leave office?

As one who never turned his back on the call of duty, for country and people; as one who tried to make a difference; and as one who, despite numerous disruptions in life and in-built human frailties, remained focused on what he believed to be fair, just, correct and necessary.