B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

Paucity of funds holds up Muktsar Suvidha Centre
Muktsar, December 4
Paucity of funds has delayed the construction of the ultra-modern Suvidha Centre building, which was initiated at the District Administrative Complex (DAC) here, last year.

The construction of the Suvidha Centre in Muktsar has been held up due to lack of funds. Tribune photo

In Mansa, Suvidha Centre goes hi-tech
Bathinda, December 4
Residents of Mansa district have reasons to cheer. They will now get the latest hi-tech services from the district administration with the Suvidha Centre here introducing the token system for the waiting applicants. The applicants will also receive updates regarding the status of their application via SMS.

Justice Sikri to lay foundation of judicial complex on Dec 8
Fazilka, December 4
The Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice AK Sikri, shall lay the foundation stone of the judicial complex for the session court on December 8.

Paucity of funds holds up Muktsar Suvidha Centre
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 4
Paucity of funds has delayed the construction of the ultra-modern Suvidha Centre building, which was initiated at the District Administrative Complex (DAC) here, last year.

The building, scheduled to be built on an area of 7,000 square feet, was to be completed by July, but so far, only the lintel and some outer walls have been raised.

A Gurgaon-based private company was given the contract for the building to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.35 crore by the district administration, whereas the Punjab Mandi Board was assigned the task of executing the project.

As per the actual plan of the building, 40 service counters and 250 chairs were to be placed for the public in the fully air-conditioned waiting hall. Besides, CCTV cameras were also to be installed to keep an eye on the staff.

But the absence of funds has put a pause on the construction for the last one month and the machines are lying idle.

Rajiv Gupta, in-charge, Suvidha Centre, said the new building was planned to be built because the 2,500 square feet area of the existing building was proving to be inadequate in dealing with two to three lakh people visiting the Suvidha Centre every year.

Jia Lal, SDO, Mandi Board, Muktsar, admitted the delay saying, "The funds have not been released by the deputy commissioner which has been delaying the construction work. Till date, only an amount of Rs 50 lakh has been released against which the construction company could only partially raise the structure."

"We are hopeful of getting the funds released soon as the DC has called a meeting in this regard," added Jia Lal.

Shamsher Singh, site in-charge of the construction company, said, “The construction will resume immediately after the district administration releases the funds.”

In Mansa, Suvidha Centre goes hi-tech
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 4
Residents of Mansa district have reasons to cheer. They will now get the latest hi-tech services from the district administration with the Suvidha Centre here introducing the token system for the waiting applicants. The applicants will also receive updates regarding the status of their application via SMS.

Close circuit television cameras (CCTV) have also been installed near the service window to notice any harassment of the applicant or tardy work.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Dhaka informed that residents seeking any of the several listed service from the Suvidha Centre will no longer have to stand and wait in long queues.

"The token system, seen usually in banks, has been started. Any person seeking a service will get a token number. He will be required at the window when his number comes. Till then, he can sit on the seats comfortably. There would no longer be queues before the service windows," said the DC.

Besides, the applicant will also get an update on the status of his application via the SMS service run by the administration. The DC informed that to check complaints regarding slow work, long wait or harassment at the Suvidha Centre, CCTV camera has been installed. "We have installed 21 cameras while the service windows are only 15," said Dhaka.

The Mansa DC also informed that as New Year's gift, the residents will get access to the status of their files on the internet.

"The file tracking system will allow the applicants to learn from their homes or offices about the status of their application or files. They need not make the rounds of the Suvidha Centre to know the progress in their case file," Dhaka said.

Justice Sikri to lay foundation of judicial complex on Dec 8
Our Correspondent

Fazilka, December 4
The Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice AK Sikri, shall lay the foundation stone of the judicial complex for the session court on December 8.

Justice Jasbir Singh, executive chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, Justice Surya Kant, administrative judge, Sessions Division, Justice Ranjit Singh, chairman, Building Committee, Punjab, will also be present at the inaugural ceremony.

The judges would also inaugurate the newly set up courts of two additional district and sessions judges (ADSJ). JPS Khurmi and Sumit Malhotra, ADSJs would also assume charge in presence of the Chief Justice and other judges. These judges would hear the cases till the completion of the full sessions court.

Two new courts for additional district judges have been set up in old tehsil complex adjacent to the sub- jail. These courts would be shifted in the new building of district courts after its completion.

Meanwhile, Sumit Ghai assumed charge as the first chief judicial magistrate (CJM) at the Fazilka district headquarters today. "It is a history of sorts that two courts of additional district judge have been set up in a short span,” said former president of Bar Association, RK Angi.