Eid gesture: Malerkotla to be Punjab’s 23rd district

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 14

Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday announced Malerkotla as the 23rd district of the state. The Muslim-majority city is currently a part of Sangrur district.

Initially, the sub-divisions of Malerkotla and Ahmedgarh and Amargarh sub-tehsil would be included in the new district. The process of bringing villages under the jurisdiction of Malerkotla district would begin after the conclusion of the Census, the CM said at a state-level function to mark Eid. Capt Amarinder directed the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner to find a suitable building to immediately start the functioning of the district administration office. The Deputy Commissioner for the newly carved out district would be appointed soon, he said.

Announcing other projects for Malerkotla, the CM said a medical college, to be named after Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan, would be set up at a cost of Rs 500 crore. An area of 25 acres had been earmarked for the project on the Raikot road and the first installment of Rs 50 crore had also been released, he said. A government college for girls, an all-women police station and a bus stand were also announced for the city.