Jandiala Guru – Former MLA from Baba Bakala Manjit Singh Manna and BJP District President (Amritsar Rural) & Jandiala Guru constituency in-charge Hardeep Singh Gill met Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Delhi. They discussed the damage caused to kutcha houses of poor families due to floods and appealed to the BJP-led Central Government to extend direct assistance to these families.
Manna and Hardeep Gill highlighted that Punjab has nearly 32% Dalit population, most of whom live in kutcha houses. Across Punjab, a large number of such houses have been damaged, and the AAP government in Punjab has no effective scheme to provide relief. They urged the Center to expand the scope of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana so that the needy can directly benefit from it and rebuild their homes.
The leaders further stated that during the meeting they requested the Union Minister to make special provisions under PMAY to ensure direct assistance to poor families. Minister Shivraj Chouhan assured them that he would not only place the matter before the Union Cabinet but would also personally discuss it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that a special scheme could be worked out to deliver direct help to the needy.
Hardeep Gill also raised the issue of irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA in Punjab, pointing out that work is being allotted only to favorites of the state government, while those associated with the BJP are being excluded. He said accountability of concerned officials must be fixed.
Minister Shivraj Chouhan assured that the Central Government will leave no stone unturned in helping the people of Punjab and strict action will be taken against officers indulging in malpractice under MGNREGA.