Pinki Saini/Derabssi
Taking a stern action against dereliction of duty, the Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh on Wednesday suspended Executive Officer (EO) Vijay Kumar of Dera Bassi for failing to fulfill his duties.
During a surprise inspection of sanitation work in Dera Bassi, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the ground realities and the lack of progress in cleanliness initiatives. He also directed the EO to report to the Local Government Head Office in Sector-35A, Chandigarh, until further notice.
This decisive step underscores the government’s commitment to accountability and efficient public service. Dr. Singh underscored that lapses in civic responsibilities will not be tolerated and officials must ensure prompt and effective delivery of sanitation services to the public.
During his early morning visit to Dera Bassi town, the Cabinet Minister inspected ongoing projects and directed officials to expedite efforts to resolve civic issues.
Dr. Ravjot Singh commenced his visit at Barwala Road, where he reviewed the progress of the stormwater drain project and instructed officials to accelerate work to complete it before the monsoon season. Besides this, he ordered the immediate removal of garbage along the various roads within the next two days.
Inspecting the Bus Stand, the Cabinet Minister asked the Municipal Council to initiate the construction of a new bus stand promptly, ensuring smooth traffic flow and minimizing congestion on surrounding roads. While inspecting the road behind the existing bus stand, he expressed dissatisfaction with the garbage littered in the area. He stressed for the optimal utilization of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and directed officials to maintain cleanliness and eliminate foul odors.
At the pumping station located at Issapur-Bakarpur Road (Ward 17), Dr. Ravjot Singh instructed Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials to effectively address the waste water drainage issues in the Dera Jagadhari area. He also called for upgrading pipelines if necessary to prevent future disruptions.
Dr. Ravjot Singh issued stern warning to municipal and water supply officials, instructing them to resolve public grievances effectively or face disciplinary action. He stressed the importance of coordination between the Municipal Council and the Water Supply & Sewerage Board to enhance civic amenities.
He directed the Executive Officer to prioritize the cleaning of main roads and then proceed to internal streets, setting a two-week deadline for completion.
MLA Dera Bassi Kuljeet Singh Randhawa expressed gratitude to the Minister for the visit and highlighted urgent local needs, including improved sewerage, water supply and the construction of a new bus stand. Dr Ravjot Singh assured swift action, stating that the growing housing and commercial projects in Mohali district require proactive measures to address infrastructural challenges.
Additional Chief Secretary Tejvir Singh, Director Local Government Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, ADC (UD) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, EO Vijay Jindal and other officials were present on this occasion.