Unnecessary VIP visits disrupt admn functioning, says Arora

Minister for Industries and NRI Affairs, Punjab, Sanjeev Arora, along with Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, visited Sasrali Colony to assess the situation at the Dhussi Bandh on Tuesday. Arora, however, emphasised that unnecessary VIP visits could disrupt the administration’s functioning in vulnerable areas.

He said the leaders could closely monitor the situation and ask about the progress from officials instead of making visits to the affected areas, that may hinder the ongoing efforts of village residents, workers and officials.

“The entire focus would be on VIP visits and real issue will take a back seat. This time, the entire focus of the authorities should be on providing a safe environment to the villagers by strengthening the bandhs”, said Arora while appreciating the efforts made by the residents at Sasrali Colony and the district administration in controlling the situation.

After inspecting the site, the minister and the DC interacted with residents, assuring them that the Sutlej water level remained well below the Dhussi Bandh’s height. They said the strengthening work was being carried out on a war footing to fortify the structure. The administration has kept one lakh sandbags and large quantities of stone sourced from Ropar and Himachal Pradesh to meet any emergency.

Teams from multiple departments have been stationed at vulnerable points in the district to maintain round-the-clock monitoring. Officials said the situation was under control and to support farmers, a detailed survey of crop losses had been ordered. Compensation would be provided after the assessment, they added.

After visiting and meeting villagers and workers at Sasrali, Arora along with the DC, GLADA Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar and MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, flagged off seven trucks carrying ration kits and two ambulances with essential medicines and staff to support people in flood-affected districts across the state.

The aid has been dispatched to Ferozepur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Fazilka and Gurdaspur districts.

Arora stated that the state government had been continually monitoring the flood situation and was prepared to deploy additional resources, as needed. He also urged residents to cooperate with the local authorities and relief teams to ensure efficient distribution of aid.

The minister also expressed gratitude to Ludhiana’s industrialists, including Octave Apparels, Happy Steels, Kay Jain Processors, Subhash Polytex, The Bharat Industrial Corporation, Amar Autotech, Raj Superwhite, Ritesh International and Bector Food for their generous support in aiding flood-affected residents. He also thanked DMCH principal GS Wander and DR Bishav Mohan for announcing medical camps in flood-hit areas from Wednesday.