Services at Sewa Kendra hit after ceiling collapses due to heavy rain

Normal working at the Sewa Kendra in the Tehsil complex has remained crippled for the past three days after large portions of its false ceiling collapsed during the recent spell of heavy rains. The damage has not only disrupted routine functioning but also caused serious inconvenience to hundreds of residents who rely on the centre for essential public services.

When The Tribune correspondent visited the Sewa Kendra on Wednesday morning, the situation inside the premises painted a grim picture. Of the four service counters, only two were functional, while the rest remained shut due to ongoing repair and system downtime. The partially damaged ceiling, with broken panels lying unattended, added to the atmosphere of neglect and disorder.

Residents expressed frustration over the disruption. Manju, a domestic worker, said she has been visiting the centre repeatedly for the past several days to update the Aadhaar cards of her children. “I have been coming here for the last four years for Aadhaar-related work, but the staff says the system is not working. We have no choice but to wait,” she lamented.

Officials, too, appeared helpless. Sewa Kendra in-charge Naresh said the matter had already been brought to the notice of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who subsequently forwarded the request to the Public Works Department (PWD). “The PWD has assured us that an estimate for repair of the false ceiling will be prepared shortly,” he informed. However, no clear timeline for restoration has yet been provided.

Meanwhile, long queues of residents were seen waiting in the complex, hoping their turn would come despite the limited functioning of the centre. Many expressed anger over the lack of timely maintenance of the building, pointing out that such incidents not only delay services but also pose safety risks to visitors and staff.

With Sewa Kendras serving as the backbone of citizen-centric service delivery in Punjab, residents fear prolonged disruption if urgent repair work is not undertaken. For now, both the staff and the public remain at the receiving end of bureaucratic delays, waiting for the ceiling — and the system — to be fixed.