11 months on, Zila Parishad yet to elect its chairman

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 29

Even eleven months have passed but the chairman of Zila Parishad Ludhiana is yet to be elected. The elected Zila Parishad members were administered oath in January this year, but no meeting was organised till date in the absence of chairman.

The election for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti was held on September 19, 2018, while the results were announced on September 22. The questions are being raised as to why the process to elect the chairman is being delayed.

In the elections last year, the Congress had won all 25 Zila Parishad seats in Ludhiana district. However, residents are still waiting to see any development in their villages and their long-pending issues are also not addressed.

Before the elections, Congress leaders had promised that if the party won the elections, they would ensure basic amenities in rural areas in a phased manner. Voters were assured that major developments would be seen in their respective villages. However, promises are yet to meet the reality.

Lakhvir Singh, a villager, said, “The elected members should fulfill the promises they made to the people before the elections. The dirty ponds, unavailability of direct water supply and many other issues are still being ignored in various villages. Even one year after the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, nothing has changed at the ground level. The government should disclose what development works have been carried out after the elections.”

A member said, “We are eagerly waiting for the appointment of a chairman so that meetings can be held and issues of various villages can be highlighted.”

Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said, “The process to elect the chairman of block samitis is underway and it will be completed by September 7. After that, the Zila Parishad chairman will be elected.”