Declared district, Malerkotla yet to get permanent govt offices

Patiala, October 21

Almost five months after Malerkotla was declared the 23rd district of the state on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr following a long-pending demand of residents, the district administration and police department are yet to get permanent offices. Even sanctioning of posts in various departments is pending, leading to a delay in people-centric services.

Renovation work under way

There were teething problems initially but following sanction of funds and permissions from the government, renovation work is on at a fast pace. — Ravjot Kaur Grewal, SSP

According to senior officials, the district administration is running from a building of the Punjab State Tubewell Corporation, which is located opposite to the Government College, Malerkotla. “Work on the new district complex will start soon. Offices will start functioning from that complex. The tubewell colony land which is lying vacant has been selected and

the tender process will start in a few days,” they said.

Meanwhile, land has been transferred for the construction of an SDM office in Amargarh subdivision and the PWD has already invited tenders for it. The work for new office complexes will start at Ahmedgarh subdivision too as there is no government building there to shift the SDM office, which at present is running from a private place.

Sources, however, said in addition to police, civil surgeon’s office, taxation department, power corporation, water and sanitation, municipal council and various other departments are also facing shortage of staff. “Once all these posts are filled and salaries against these posts can be issued, people will start getting benefits,” the sources said.

Malerkotla SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal told The Tribune they were presently working from a makeshift office and renovation work for a new office was already on. By year-end, their office would get a new building.

Local residents claim with the district status being accorded, the unwanted travel to Sangrur for every small work had stopped as the police and DC offices were functioning from Malerkotla. — TNS

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