Open house: After being inducted in Cabinet, which issues should be taken up on priority by MLAs from Dist?

Create an equitable, sustainable future

The most difficult task for any state's Chief Minister is to select a ministerial team without prejudice, as people expect their head of state to lead a team that creates an equitable society in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive. As a result, the list of qualifications for a deserving candidate to be inducted as minister grows longer. Despite the fact that Ludhiana district, which has 14 assembly seats, did not receive a berth in the council of ministers when the Aam Adami Party came to power 30 months ago, it recently received two berths in the form of Tarunpreet Singh Sond from Khanna and Hardeep Singh Mundian of Sanewal. In democratic societies, cabinet ministers hold significant responsibility, and citizens have clear expectations regarding their roles. These expectations encompass a blend of leadership to operate with transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of the public. The issues confronting Ludhiana are complex and multifaceted, but cabinet ministers' roles are clear. Ministers can create a more equitable and sustainable future by focussing on healthcare access, infrastructure development, drug abuse, and Buddha Nullah contamination. The time for decisive action has come; Ludhiana's future depends on it.

Novin Christopher

Attract industries, develop infrastructure

Ludhiana district has finally got representation in the fourth expansion of the 30-month-old Punjab Council of Ministers with Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Hardeep Singh Mundian, both first-time MLAs from Khanna and Sahnewal, respectively, becoming Cabinet Ministers. Ludhiana district was devoid of representation in the Punjab council of ministers in the state. Being inducted in this cabinet, they have more responsibilities of the district as well as of the state. Ludhiana district is a highly populous area in the state. So its problems are many as well as complex. Right from unemployment, quality education, affordable healthcare services, law and order, elderly people protection, poor rural infrastructure, and air and water pollution are some of the problems being faced by the people in the district. The minister‘s priorities should be to mitigate the problems in the area.

Sukhdev Sharma

Prioritise Repairing roads of district

Ludhiana district got representation in the Punjab cabinet as two ministers from newly elected MLAs. They must take care of the issues concerning the development of Ludhiana on priority. Many issues need immediate attention for development here. The first is the repair of different roads both approaching the city outside on the perimeter and roads inside for the pedestrians. With the onset of rains, these roads develop potholes, posing difficulties for the drivers of different vehicles approaching the city and pedestrians within the city. These roads need urgent attention for repairs and repaving. Then, there is the issue of handling ‘Budha Nallah’ in the city.

Gautam Dev

Invite establishment of new industries

A minister is a person appointed by the head of a government to some high office of the state, especially to that of the head of an administrative department. The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, on 23.09.24, made Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Hardeep Singh Mundian,both first-time MLAs from Khanna and Sahnewal, respectively, as Cabinet Ministers. Mr. Sond was made the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rural Development & Panchayats, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Investment Promotion, along with Hospitality & Labour, while Mr. Mundian assumed the charge as Minister for Revenue & Rehabilitation, Disaster Management, Water Supply & Sanitation, besides Housing & Urban Development. The ministers should act tough against corruption and provide people-friendly governance to fulfil their pre-poll commitments. They should make every effort to give impetus to the progress of the state and the prosperity of its people. The first and foremost job for minister Mr. Sond is to check the exodus of industry from the state of Punjab, especially Ludhiana, to other places like Noida in UP, Baddi in HP, Gujarat, etc., as those state governments are giving various incentives to industries like cheap land, interest-free loans or loans on low rates of interest, exemption from income tax for the first few years, subsidies, etc. The minister should make strenuous efforts for the redressal of the grievances of the industrialists of the state so that they are not compelled to shift their units out of the state. He should also create an exemplary infrastructure in the state to attract industries from other states to Punjab. This will give a lot of boost to the economy of the state besides solving the unemployment problem. All out efforts should be made by the Minister to develop tourism in Punjab by showcasing the rich religious,historical and cultural heritage of the state

across the globe.

RS Sembhi

Introduce sustainable farming practices

In Ludhiana district, newly appointed ministers Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Hardeep Singh Mundia should prioritise the following major issues like agriculture support to address the challenges faced by the farmers, including access to credit, crop insurance, and sustainable farming practices. Secondly, industrial development to promote policies that support the local industrial sector, including incentives for small and medium enterprises to boost job creation and economic growth. Thirdly, infrastructure improvement is needed that focusses on enhancing transportation networks, including road repairs and the public transport system, to improve connectivity with districts and neighbouring areas. Another need to improve is education and skill abilities by making vocational training institutions that enhance skill management. Healthcare services, water, and sanitation need to be multifaceted, comprising the people's healthcare. Later on, environmental sustainability needs to be promoted to address pollution issues, particularly in urban areas, to improve quality of life. By focussing on these priorities, the new ministers can effectively address the pressing needs of their constituents.

Parmeet Kaur

Address poor condition of roads

Residents of Ludhiana have some expectations from them that they must address the issues and problems of residents of Ludhiana in particular and others in general. They must address the problem of roads that are in very bad condition. They must reserve some place in each locality for parks so that children may play and others may go for walks in these parks. They have done a lot in the capacity of MLA in city Ludhiana, but still some areas, such as Haibowal and others, are deprived of these facilities. They must make provision of street level clinics. They must improve the conditions of civil hospitals and educational institutions. They must address the problem of industry in Ludhiana and must give more attention to making Buddha Nullah into the Buddha dariya once again. They must compel the education ministry to implement the long-standing demand of teachers and get the order from the government for implementing pensions for all school and college-level teachers across all the districts of Punjab. All electricity wires must be underground, and facilities of sewerage and portable water should be provided to each household. They must direct the traffic police to solve the problems of jams to avoid the precious time of citizens of Ludhiana.

Dr. Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Plant more trees, make city eco-friendly

Many small and effective industrial projects and investments are ongoing here. New leaders should help these people's to make their businesses stronger by giving them subsidies. But in view of not harming the natural resources, such as water pollution and deforestation because of industrialization. They should take the main handle to make Punjab free from drugs; every day hundreds of mothers lose their children because of drugs. In addition, they must take strict actions against these smugglers. They also must have a look to make the city eco-friendly; more trees should be planted besides roads, and they must take legal action against the factories that are releasing the polluted water inside sewage, which is harmful to the water bodies.

Pawanpreet Singh

Curb anti-social elements of society

As Ludhiana finally gains representation in the Punjab Council, major issues that have lingered for years will hopefully receive the attention they deserve. The first major issue faced by most Ludhianavis is the poor condition of roads in various parts of the city. The presence of large potholes, broken roads, and loose gravel has led to numerous accidents, yet the municipal corporation has turned a deaf ear. Authorities often lay just a single layer of gravel, which easily withers away during the monsoon season. This brings us to the second major issue: the flooding of roads due to poor sewage systems and inadequate underground pipelines. During the rainy season, this causes significant inconvenience to residents. The third issue is the alarming rise in criminal activities in the city. Not a single day passes without newspapers reporting incidents such as burglaries, chain snatching, vehicle thefts, murders, and kidnappings, often occurring in broad daylight. People no longer feel safe, even in their own homes, and the delayed response by the police force is highly concerning. Finally, the Buddah Nullah remains a serious issue, severely contaminated with pollutants and posing a threat to public health.

Kirandeep Kaur

Infra development should be priority

We, the citizens of Ludhiana, have more expectations from newly decorated MLAs Tarunpreet Singh Sound and Hardeep Singh Mundian with ministers of cabinet rank that they should pay attention to the beautification and put Ludhiana city on the list of clean cities in our country. They must order to complete various projects that are under construction. Proper planning to develop Ludhiana must be there, as we know that some illegal colonies are mushrooming up in the vicinity of Ludhiana. They must order local governments to focus on carpeting roads. Places must be reserved for industries in the outskirts of Ludhiana by removing industries from streets and densely populated areas.

Farzana Khan

Adopt modern waste treatment technology

To effectively combat water pollution in Ludhiana, strengthening regulations on industrial effluents and upgrading sewage treatment facilities are crucial. Stricter enforcement of existing laws, along with the introduction of penalties for non-compliance, can ensure that industries are held accountable for their waste disposal practices. This would compel them to adopt better waste treatment technologies, ultimately reducing harmful pollutants entering local water bodies.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Ministers need to tackle drug abuse

Drug abuse in Punjab has become a serious issue, extending its destructive reach even into schools. Alarming reports indicate that schoolchildren are increasingly using vapes and drugs, threatening the well-being of the next generation. The Punjab Council of Ministers must take immediate, decisive action to combat this growing crisis. The Council of Ministers must ensure that existing anti-drug laws are not only strengthened but enforced rigorously. Schools should be monitored through surprise checks, and harsher penalties should be imposed on those selling or distributing drugs near educational institutions.

Sahleen Kaur