Public works hit as top admn posts vacant in Sangrur dist

Satwant Singh (name changed), 64, visited the district administrative complex to check with the Sangrur ADC (General) about an application linked to a pending complaint.

However, he was told by the clerical staff that the Punjab Government was yet to post someone against this post and the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner was presently managing the district with only one ADC-level officer.

Even as local residents rue the dearth of officials to resolve their grievances, the Sangrur District Administrative Complex wears a deserted look. Deputy Commissioner Rahul Chaba has been juggling offices and holding meetings. He is supported by Sukhchain Singh, ADC (RD), Sangrur, who is the lone senior officer presently working in this politically important district.

“The two officers are meeting the public, holding important meetings, attending video conferences, attending meetings by seniors in Chandigarh and also attending to senior leaders visiting the CM’’s city,” said a junior-rung officer. “Sometimes we have no one to spare if more than two Cabinet ministers turn up or if there is an important VVIP visit,” stated an official in the district administration.

The post of the ADC (G) Sangrur fell vacant after the government shifted Amit Bamby as ADC (G) Barnala. Vikas Hira was named as his replacement on November 28. Interestingly on the same date, Ankur Mahindroo, who was posted as ADC Khanna, was transferred to Sangrur instead of Hira. However, Mahindroo could not be relieved due to the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls.

Public is also facing harassment as the post of Regional Transport Officer is vacant ever since the transfer orders of Naman Markan came last week. Lal Vishwas Bains, who was transferred here from Nakodar, is yet to join the office. Sources said he was yet to be relieved from Nakodar.

“Almost 10 days ago, I had met the RTO and explained my problem pertaining to a lost RC. Now I am told he is transferred and the new officer is yet to join. I went to complain to the DC, only to be told that he is holding meetings for the Zila Parishad polls,” Gurpreet Singh, a Sangrur resident, told The Tribune.

Further, the post of Assistant Commissioner (General) is also vacant. The government had transferred Kirpal Vir Singh to Sangrur, but it is learnt that he was already on leave and yet to join.

The charge of SDM Lehragaga and Moonak is handled by a single officer who has to shuffle between the two important subdivisions. The Executive Officer of Sangrur Municipal Council, which is in news for open burning of garbage and unattended garbage dumps, has the additional charge of Devigarh in Patiala.

Interestingly, Sangrur is the political capital of Punjab as it is the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and state AAP president Aman Arora.

DC Rahul Chaba refused to comment on the issue.