Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday raised questions over the absence of Deputy Commissioner Varjit Walia during a DISHA committee meeting at the DC office.
Channi had visited the office to attend the meeting, which is held to review development works and the implementation of schemes funded by the Central government, however, the DC remained absent.
Channi was informed that they had gone out for official work, while junior officials attended the meeting in their place.
Expressing displeasure over the development, Channi said the meeting had been convened for an important review of development-related matters and said the meeting was subsequently rescheduled for Monday. He warned that if the officials failed to attend the next meeting as well, a letter would be written to the Speaker regarding their absence.
Channi also criticised the condition of sanitation in Jalandhar, where garbage has been piling up amid the ongoing strike by sanitation workers.
He raised concerns over the proposed solid waste management contract, stating that a contract worth ₹608 crore for eight years had been awarded to an outside company, and he also alleged that the company was linked to Delhi leader Manish Sisodia and questioned the tender process.
He said the garbage situation had become particularly serious in several parts of the city and alleged that adequate arrangements had not been made to handle the accumulated waste.
During his interaction with the media, Channi also highlighted several pending civic works across Jalandhar’s nine Assembly constituencies and he specifically mentioned water supply and sewage-related problems in the West constituency.
According to him, funds had been sanctioned for the installation of two tubewells, but the required land had not yet been provided.
He also raised the issue of pending road and overbridge work in Adampur, he said Central government funds had been used for the construction of a lower road, but drainage-related problems continued, he further pointed to problems at the garbage dump in the Cantt constituency and said stagnant water in different parts of the city was creating concerns over the spread of diseases.
Channi also criticised the state government over the alleged non-payment of Dearness Allowance and pensions to employees and delays in releasing funds for village development.
Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Channi alleged corruption in the functioning of the government and claimed that the Chief Minister’s residence had become a “hub of corruption”, he said the allegation was not merely his own and referred to observations made by the High Court.
Channi also raised allegations concerning sand mining and a reported ₹5 crore bribery case linked to a rape matter, while questioning the government’s handling of such issues.
