Tackling drug menace my priority: MP Ch Santokh Singh

With the Assembly elections coming closer in Punjab, the Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Jalandhar has started doing his homework to mobilise voters across the region.

Advertisement

The MP has started special interactive sessions with college students to seek their suggestions on the issues that can be raised in the coming Parliament session. With several issues in hand pertaining to the drug menace, lack of development, registration of criminal cases against Congress workers, Akali halqa constituency chief’s interference in police matters, migration of industry, the MP and his son Vikram Chaudhary, who was former Punjab Youth Congress chief, have been spending every minute with the constituency people to build ground for the Congress in the coming elections. With rumours of fielding Vikram from the Phillaur constituency, the father-son duo has been utilising each moment to gain political ground.

In an interaction with Jalandhar Tribune, the 68-year-old MP, who is also a fitness freak, spoke on various issues pertaining to Punjab and his plans for the public if his party comes to power in the state.

How do you spend your day?

I wake up at 5 am. After spending two hours in the gym, I sit in my office at 8 am. Then workers and public start coming to my office and till 11 am, I meet the visitors and listen to their problems. Then I attend various social and development programmes and get free by 10 pm.

What is your take on police sub-divisions in sync with Assembly segments in Punjab?

Our government is completely against this policy. If we come to power, we will do away with this practice to minimise the interference of halqa (constituency) in charge in police functioning.

What are the issues you have planned to raise in the Parliament session?

The issue of drug menace will be my priority. The Congress will seek a national policy on drugs. Drugs have destroyed youths in Punjab and the state government, instead of discouraging the drug menace, is totally responsible for increasing the drug abuse. In fact, in the first session of Parliament, I also demanded a special discussion on the subject, but some minister from Punjab managed to get the subject removed.

Why have not your recommendations pertaining to the development of the Jalandhar railway station been considered so far?

I have been recommending various development suggestions for the Jalandhar railway station. I even met the Railways Minister and Railways GM twice on the issue, but nothing has happened on the ground so far. It seems I am paying the price for being in the opposition. I will raise this issue in the Lok Sabha session too.

Why are various issues of Jalandhar Cantt people lying unaddressed so far?

I am aware of it. I have personally discussed issues of Cantt people with the Defence Minister like ownership rights, hurdles in construction, amendment in the Cantt Act etc and he assured to sort out the issues, but nothing has happened on the ground so far.

Your comments on BJP MP Sampla taking credit for the Adampur Airport issue.

I initiated the Adampur airport matter. I met the Civil Aviation Minister and Defence Minister who assured me to provide the NOC. If Hoshiarpur MP Sampla or MLA Adampur Tinu has been taking credit for it, it is their political prank only, as they did nothing on the ground.

You adopted Ganna Pind, but why are development works far from satisfactory there?

The government made us to adopt Ganna Pind, but failed to issue funds for its development. The major problem the village is facing is of drug addiction and abuse. I wrote to the Ministry of Social Justice to seek a drug addiction centre there but the ministry did nothing. The village has more than 50 per cent Dalit population which entitles it to get Rs 20 lakh grant for development, but the ministry said that the fund could be released if the state government recommends this. It seems I will have to spare money from the MPLAD funds for village development. Even Education Minister Daljit Cheema is yet to act on my suggestion to upgrade the middle school to high in the village for the uplift of the villagers.

Is your son ready to contest the Assembly elections from Phillaur?

My son has been doing work in the constituency for long. At this stage, I don’t want to comment about his candidature from Phillaur.

How will the Congress tackle the BSP’s huge vote share in Phillaur?

In the 2012 Assembly elections, the BSP garnered 42,000 votes, but its vote share in the parliamentary elections went down to 13,000 only. So there is no worry for the Congress.

Will the son of former Punjab minister Ch Jagjit, Surinder, contest from Kartarpur ?

Surinder is looking after the Kartarpur segment. It is up to the party high command to decide on the matter.

Why have started interactive sessions with college students?

I recently held an interactive session with SD College students and sought their suggestions on which issues I should raise in Parliament. Girl students asked to me raise issues of drug menace, unemployment, drug abuse and intolerance in the session. We will keep on mobilising the support of the youth.

What is your take on the migration of industry?

The state government has been meting out a step-motherly treatment to the industry by increasing power tariff, tax burdens, and harassment by government officials. If the practice continues, Punjab will be devoid of industrial development.

Why is former MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee not active in your constituency? Is he on good terms with you?

He fought elections in Hoshiarpur so he might be concentrating there only. Otherwise, there is no bickering in leadership.

What are your comments on shifting AIIMS to Bathinda?

I raised the issue of getting AIIMS for Jalandhar and met the Health Minister. I raised the issue in Parliament, but AIIMS was shifted to Bathinda at the whims and fancies of Union Minister Harsimarat Badal. Eh Punjab di badkismati hai. Jo kuch hai Bathinda le jarhe ne Badals. (It is unfortunate that Badals are taking everything to Bathinda).