Chandigarh: A day after Supreme Court gave Punjab govt eight weeks to conduct civic polls, Punjab local govt minister Ravjot Singh on Tuesday held a review meeting with MLAs and municipal commissioners from different districts to emphasise on the need to free cities of garbage, ensure maintenance of sewerage, and provide clean water supply.
During the meeting, Ravjot directed officials to ensure garbage piles at dump sites were cleaned and disposed of scientifically. He said sewerage systems should be maintained properly to prevent blockages that could lead to water accumulation on streets and roads.
He also asked field officials to keep MLAs of their respective constituencies informed about ongoing development projects to ensure these projects align with the needs of city residents.
The minister reviewed ongoing projects under various schemes and directed officials to allocate any unused funds. He “warned” that failure to use public funds for development projects would lead to disciplinary action.
He said there would be no shortage of funds for development projects and asked officials to submit proposals for the requirement of additional funds.
Ravjot also reviewed progress of sewage treatment plants and water treatment plants, and directed officials to expedite their completion. He suggested if suitable panchayat land is unavailable for these facilities, officials, in compliance with govt regulations, should collaborate with the district administration concerned to secure a private site for prompt acquisition.
Elections are due to be held in five municipal corporations—Phagwara, Amritsar, Patiala, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana—along with 42 municipal councils.
Punjab minister for water resources Brinder Kumar Goyal was also present in the meeting. Other who attended it included MLAs, municipal commissioners, additional deputy commissioners (urban development) of Ludhiana, and additional deputy commissioners (general) from districts such as Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa, Bathinda, Sangrur, and representatives from Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats of Sardulgarh, Bhikhi, Bariwala, Rampura Phul, Talwandi Sabo, Cheema, Moonak, Dirba, Khanuri, Maloud, Mullapur Dakhan, Sahnewal, Machhiwara, and Amloh.