Malout SDM issues show-cause notice to 2 officials for 'passing the buck' over waterlogging 

A day after Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur inspected waterlogged areas of Malout town and ordered speedy drainage of rainwater, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) today issued show-cause notices to two key officials for passing the buck instead of working together.

During her visit yesterday, the minister had asked Rakesh Mohan Makkar, a Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board, to take action. However, Makkar blamed the Municipal Council for the drainage issue. He said, “Our sewerage system is not meant for rainwater. Two motors installed at the outflow ponds are to be run by the MC, but they are not working. These were handed over to the MC by the department concerned.”

When Dr Baljit Kaur questioned Mangat Kumar, Executive Officer of the Malout Municipal Council, he shot back that the motors were the responsibility of the Sewerage Board. The minister even posted a video of her conversation with both officials on her Facebook page. Sources said the matter had even reached the Chief Secretary’s Office yesterday.

Speaking to The Tribune today, Mangat Kumar said, “The operation and maintenance of the sewerage system come under the Sewerage Board. We can only provide them machinery or funds.”

Malout Municipal Council president Shubhdeep Singh Bittu, who is the president of the district unit of the Congress, distanced from the issue, saying the council had no role in drainage. “Rather, we had prepared a detailed project report for the permanent solution to waterlogging two years ago, but the state government has not approved it yet,” he claimed.

On the other hand, Makkar said he had simply presented the facts, adding that he had already retired and was now working on contract. “The minister has now asked us to drain out the rainwater speedily and work on a permanent solution,” said Makkar.

Meanwhile, the waterlogging crisis continued to disrupt normal life. Several markets in Gidderbaha town remained shut, and many localities and roads in Muktsar town were also under water. With more rain in the forecast, residents fear the situation could worsen.