Abrupt end to Sidhu’s demolition drive

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 18

Pressure from within the Congress and the Opposition seems to have finally worked as the demolition drive initiated by Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in the city on Thursday came to an abrupt end on Monday.

The decision came following an unscheduled meeting between Deputy Commissioner Varinder Sharma, Municipal Commissioner Basant Garg, Jalandhar MP Santokh Chaudhary, Police Commissioner Pravin Sinha and MLAs Sushil Rinku, Bawa Henry, Pargat Singh and Rajinder Beri.

While the DC and the MP refused to acknowledge the meeting was specifically held for the purpose, the latter, however, said the demolitions were being stalled for now, pending a meeting with the Local Bodies Minister.

This even as Sidhu and Local Bodies Director Karnesh Sharma had on Sunday asserted that the drive would continue as usual.

The demolition faced opposition from various quarters as Congress’ Jalandhar-West MLA Rinku climbed atop a JCB machine to stop progressing dozers. Akali leader Pawan Tinu went to the extent of accusing the minister of sparing illegal structures in his native place Amritsar and deliberately starting the campaign in Jalandhar. Nevertheless, several illegal structures were razed across Model Town, Chugitti Chowk and at the city bus stand.

Talking to The Tribune, the MP said, “The directions issued by the minister will be adhered to after we meet him in two days. Today’s meeting was only about pending approvals and other cases with the Local Bodies Ministry.”

The DC said, “It was a routine meeting as the powers to stop demolitions are vested with the Local Bodies Department… We keep on meeting MLAs to discuss welfare issues.”

Sources at the meeting, however, said since various resolutions regarding zoning, etc, were pending, the general opinion that emerged was to raise these with the minister first before the demolition drive could be completed.

DCC chief, cop scuffle in Sidhu’s presence

Ferozepur: In an embarrassment to Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, District Congress Committee chief Chamkaur Singh Dhindsa on Monday entered into verbal duel with a cop, who was part of the minister’s security. The incident took place during Sidhu’s visit to National Martyrs Memorial at Hussaniwala. Accusing the cop of highhandedness, Dhindsa claimed that he pushed him aside while he was going to meet Sidhu. On the other hand, the policeman accused Dhindsa of using abusive language. While both of them were exchanging heated words, Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki intervened to prevent the situation from taking an ugly turn. OC

Blueprint for historic sites unveiled

Ferozepur: Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday unveiled the blueprint for the development of historic sites, including National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala and Saragarhi Memorial, and Harike bird sanctuary as centres of tourist attraction under the centrally sponsored Swadesh Darshan scheme for which over Rs 20 crore would be spent. Paying tributes to martyrs here, Sidhu said the memorial would be developed in a way that it continued to inspire the generations to come. The minister promised to sanction funds to develop the secret hideout of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary comrades. OC