Slug: Ear to the ground
Lack of civic amenities raises stink
Gurbaxpuri
Tarn Taran, November 28
People in the constituency are peeved at the stink raised by Kasur Nullah in heart of Balmiki Colony here. A group of women comprising Nimmo, Parveen and Sheela, say their relatives, including daughters married outside, hesitate to visit them due to the unbearable stench.
Kishan Lal, a resident, says: “Months back, we questioned our MLA when he had visited the colony. We are still awaiting his reply.”
“We neither have clean drinking water nor sewerage. Local doctors confirm the stomach ailments among a large number of local residents are due to unclean drinking water. Some residents have installed submersible pumps, but the majority can’t afford these,” says Daljit Singh, another resident.
“The government allowed haphazard growth in the town. We don’t have adequate parks for local residents or playgrounds for our children. Mismanaged traffic especially at Bohriwala chowk is commonplace,” says Niranjan Kaur, a resident.
Box
Past voting trend
After the lifting of emergency in 1977, Tarn Taran has always voted in favour of Akali candidates till the 1992 election, when Congress candidate Dilbag Singh Daleke won. Again in 2017, Congress candidate Dr Dharambeer Agnihotri won, defeating three-time SAD candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu by 14,629 votes.
Voters’ demand
* Create self-employment avenues
* Disposal of rainwater in villages
* Covering Kasur Nullah
* Recarpeting of main road in Tarn Taran
* Building for Government Elementary School, Gali Mastara Wali
* Playground for Government Senior Secondary School
BOX
Electorate strength
Male 99334
Female 90318
Third gender 7
Total 1,89,659
Box
2017 poll results
Result Candidate Party Votes
Won Dr Dharambeer Agnihotri Congress 59,794
Lost Harmeet Singh Sandhu SAD 45,165
Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium
Take your experience further with Premium access.
Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only Benefits
Already a Member? Sign In Now