MC fears loss of face amid Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations Ravi Dhaliwal Batala, June 7 The cash-starved Batala Municipal Committee (MC) is fearing a loss of face if the Punjab government does not release funds immediately to re-carpet old roads, a majority of which are unmotorable, and also for construction of new ones even as barely four months are left for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev to commence in the town. Former MP Sunil Jakhar was instrumental in getting the MC upgraded to a corporation. This was done to ensure that the town got more funds for civic amenities, including the roads, but till yet money has not been sanctioned because the notification has still to see the light of the day. MC president Naresh Mahajan claims he has received just Rs 2.86 crore while Rs 100 crore is actually needed to rebuild the potholed, broken and accident-prone roads. “Keeping in view the birth celebrations, Sultanpur Lodhi was given Rs 500 crore and Dera Baba Nanak Rs 100 crore. However, we were sanctioned just Rs 5 crore out of which we have received Rs 2.86 crore. The entire world will be keenly watching the celebrations. We will end up having egg on our face if money is not immediately released,” he said. Social activist, Jagjot Singh Sandhu, who runs a social organisation — Inkalab Sabha — said that he and his colleagues had already held innumerable protests to ensure the MC paid attention to the roads but to no avail. “The condition is so bad that one cannot drive on several roads, including SL Bawa DAV College road, Gaushala road, Mahajara Jassa Singh Hall road, the road leading to the Gandhi Chowk and almost all the thoroughfares of the inner city. A blame game is going on between Naresh Mahajan, who is a BJP leader, and two senior Congress politicians. In this seemingly unending game, the tax-paying residents are suffering the most. The city will stand out like a sore thumb when TV sends out images of the town throughout the world during the birth anniversary. Hospitals are reporting casualties due to accidents caused by potholes. Only divine intervention can save the residents,” maintained Sandhu. The repair and construction of the roads falling within the town’s limits is the responsibility of the MC. However, with lack of funds becoming a justification rather than an excuse, there is a possibility that pilgrims arriving for the festivities may find themselves walking on slippery turf. Former councillor Harinder Singh said Jakhar had given grants from his MPLAD funds and work on reconstructing a few roads had actually started. “However, these funds were too meagre. The Punjab government should immediately release more money otherwise the city may well become a laughing stock. We all hope somebody is listening this time. After all the town’s prestige is at stake,” said Sandhu.

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