Constituency profile: Bhucho Mandi

Feeling neglected for decades

Sameer Singh

The reserved constituency, which has the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in majority, comprises two blocks — Goniana Mandi and Bhucho Mandi — and an equal number of nagar panchayats.

The demand for sub-division status to Nathana sub-tehsil has been pending for decades. Residents of over two dozen villages have to travel 60 km to Bathinda for all their administrative and educational needs.

Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Goniana, said: “Although a dozen link roads have been built in the past five years, the existing ones, 15 to 17 in number, are in a dilapidated condition. No attention has been given to the demand for making permanent the kutcha stretch of 6-7 km between Mehma Sarja and Deon (Muktsar road) villages. Residents of around 37 villages have to take a long route to reach AIIMS, Bathinda.”

“The demand to augment medical infrastructure at the dispensary at Mehma Sawai village and convert it into a PHC (Primary Health Centre) has been pending for years. Residents of 12 villages have to visit the Community Health Centre, Goniana,” said Harmail Singh.

Balkar Singh, a resident of Goniana Mandi said, “Drug menace is quite rampant in the constituency in the absence of police inaction.” Maingal Singh, another resident, said: “There’s no proper garbage disposal system. Water ponds have not been cleaned for years.”

Past trend

Until 2012 Assembly elections, it was Nathana constituency. It has always been a reserved seat for SC. In 2012 and 2007, Cong’s Ajaib Singh Bhatti won from here. In 2002 polls, SAD’s Gura Singh registered win from the seat. In 2017, Congress’ Pritam Singh Kotbhai won in a close contest by just 645 votes.

Box:

Election result 2017 assembly election

Won Pritam Singh Kotbhai Congress 51,605 votes

Lost Jagsir Singh AAP 50,960 votes

Voter details:

Total voters: 1,81,598

Male: 95,370

Female: 86,225

Third gender: 3

Key local demands

* Sub-division status to Nathana

* Repair of link roads

* PHC at Mehma Sawai village

* Action on drug peddlers