Sidhu leads charge, but not much change on the ground

The initiatives taken by Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for checking malpractices in his department soon after he took over have died down after two years.

Though a series of suspensions in various departments after he took charge showed potential for an overhaul in one of the most controversial departments, there is no change worth a mention on ground.

In one example, at least 11 officials of the Improvement Trust in Bathinda suspended in May 2017 have been reinstated. The minister in October 2017 had conceded that at least 95 per cent sewers in various towns were blocked. Media reports this year showed overflowing sewers in Abohar, Mohali, Patiala and Ludhiana besides several other places. Garbage heaps can be seen on roads in Amritsar. What can be more embarrassing than a Congress councillor resigning over the corporation’s inability to lift garbage.

The department also cannot wash its hands off its inability to prevent dengue. Health Minister Brahm Mohindra came on record criticising the department. The media also highlighted the increasing cases of dog bites, including the death of an infant. The dog bite cases crossed 1.13 lakh last year, while accidents due to stray cattle are common. Congress MLA from Patti Harminder Singh Gill spoke about unattended roads in the state Assembly. Though Sidhu had made big announcements about removing all defacements with unregulated advertisements all over the state, it has not happened. The only good news is that Ludhiana has given work order to Leafberry Company for Rs 23 crore advertisements. This alone is more than the entire state’s revenue of Rs 18 crore last year. However, despite repeated efforts Sidhu could not be contacted for comments.

— Sanjeev Singh Bariana