‘Committed funds for healthcare’

Gurjeet Singh Aujla won the Amritsar seat for the second consecutive time. He took a round of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital a day after the poll result and declared to grant half of his annual discretionary funds to revamp facilities there. Talking to The Tribune reporter GS Paul, Aujla spells out his vision.

What is the first thing on your mind for Amritsar that you want to work on?

I owe my current success to the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. I won't make tall claims of making Amritsar a "California" or "London". If I am able to offer better basic amenities, like safe drinking water, health, education and job prospects, I will consider myself fortunate enough to live up to the expectations of people who have shown faith in me. 

How will you realise your vision?

I have already started my task. I visited government hospital here and after getting to know the shortcomings there from the medical superintendent, I promised them to give Rs 2.5 crore from my annual discretionary funds as soon as I receive my first instalment. The Rs 3,000-crore canal-based water supply system from the UBDC in Amritsar has been in limbo for a long time. As an MP, I can be a conduit between the Centre and the state government to get it started. Since the MP heads the district development and monitoring committee, I will hold regular meetings with officials to get updates on weaknesses and methods to resolve them. 

Amritsar, being a border belt, has its own issues. What’s your take?  

Amritsar is in dire need of getting a package under the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme for border belt. The SEZ package announced during the UPA regime at the Centre was caught in official rigmarole after the change of command. My priority will be to get that package sanctioned so that agro-industry can be set up in the border area. This will open up various avenues for border residents who have agriculture as the main profession. Similarly, the norms for those who have land beyond the Indo-Pak border fencing, too, should be liberalised and their demand of adequate compensation should be heard by the Centre.

Isn't drug menace a major issue?

I admit there are flaws in the system to tackle it. Very shortly, I am going to take it up with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to allow making it a law to fix the accountability of 'police thana incharges' concerned and the administrative officials if any drug trade propelled in the area falling under their jurisdiction. Similarly, efforts will be there to break the supply chain and set up rehabilitation centres.

Do you think that while sitting in Opposition, your voice will be heard?

At present, Amritsar has an elected Lok Sabha member, a nominated Rajya Sabha member and Puri saheb (Union Minister of State for Urban Affairs and Housing Hardeep Singh Puri, his rival in Lok Sabha polls). If still the voice of Amritsar is not heard in Parliament, then it will be a case of utter misfortune due to political vendetta only, I believe.

What’s your equation with Hardeep Puri since none of you indulged in mudslinging? 

Puri Saheb and I always shared cordial relations. His diplomatic, suave humble behaviour and the respect I have for him can never allow us to go in for mudslinging. I am overwhelmed at his gesture of congratulating me and extending a helpful hand to me for development of Guru di Nagri. I have no hesitation in approaching him for cooperation as he heads a very important department. Around 3.45 lakh residents voted in his favour. I will be their voice too and seek his assistance in making Amritsar a tourist hub with religious, cultural and medical perspective.