Cong set to focus on cleanliness, garbage collection, drainage

Former Education Minister and five-time Congress MLA, Geeta Bhukkal, who also chaired the party's manifesto committee for the upcoming civic body elections, has stated that the Congress will focus its campaign on public issues. The party’s emphasis will be on creating a corruption-free local government, ensuring cleanliness, beautification of cities and improving garbage collection, drainage and sewerage systems.

“The Congress manifesto will aim at addressing the growing concerns of corruption within state corporations, councils, and municipalities, which are a result of the BJP's mismanagement. The issues such as cleanliness, garbage collection, and the AMRUT Yojana, which has been plagued by major scams, have been highlighted even by BJP ministers and MPs themselves,” Bhukkal pointed out.

She reiterated that Congress aimed at tackling public issues such as garbage collection, waste disposal, defacement of public properties, sanitation, waterlogging and choked sewerage systems. Bhukkal claimed that the BJP government had failed to address these critical issues.

“Adequate funds are available to resolve these problems and ensure cleanliness, a proper drainage system and the beautification of cities, but these funds are not being utilised effectively. These concerns will be central to the Congress manifesto for the upcoming urban local body elections scheduled for March 2,” Bhukkal added, emphasising that such changes could only be brought about under the Congress leadership.

As chairperson of the manifesto committee, Bhukkal urged the public to focus on the Congress party’s agenda for the elections. She also criticised the Haryana Government for delaying the civic elections, noting that many municipalities and councils were waiting for the elections for a prolonged period. However, she assured that the Congress would contest the elections with full strength.

In response to a question about the Waqf Board Bill, Bhukkal suggested that the matter should be discussed in Parliament for further clarity.

Reacting to the show-cause notice served to Transport Minister Anil Vij by his own party, and his subsequent remarks, Bhukkal said, “When ministers from the state government make such allegations, it is clear that not everything is functioning well within the administration. Anil Vij is a seven-time MLA, and his statements should not be dismissed.”

Earlier, in a programme, Bhukkal also discussed the teachings of Saint Ravidas, emphasising his views on equality, women’s education and the importance of actions over birth. “Saint Ravidas taught that no one is born great, but greatness comes from one’s actions,” Bhukkal concluded.