Tough road ahead in border segment

PROMISES GALORE: Bringing a 250-MW thermal power plant at Goindwal,developing it as a major industrial town,development of Tarn Taran and Patti,annual compensation to border area farmers,whose land falls beyond barbed fence,setting up cricket stadia and sports clubs,liberal grants to villages and smaller border towns of Bhikhiwind,Jhabbal and Khemkaran,funds for rural development,implementation of Central and state government schemes in the largely neglected areas,improving road network and strengthening the education and health services. He also promised to ensure reservation for the border area youth in the government jobs.

WHAT HE DELIVERED: The state government laid the foundation stone of 250-MW thermal power plant at Goindwal,though the project has remained on papers only,as the company has not yet started work. He was able to spend most of the MPLAD funds,but most of the grants were distributed just before the elections and cheques are not being honoured now due to the elections code of conduct. Most of the roads built or re-laid during his tenure did not weather even one season. It was during his tenure that Tarn Taran was made a district by previous Capt Amarinder Singh government.

WHERE HE FAILED: The thermal plant is still to see the light of day. He did nothing to revive industrial cluster at Goindwal. The border farmers have been crying for annual compensation,and the cities and towns in his constituency lack basic amenities. Some of the most backward villages fall in the segment. He established no big

stadium nor brought any sports facility to the area,and there was no major investment by public or private company in the area. He also failed to be in touch with the public. He also did not keep his promise of reservation in government jobs for border area youths.

ATTENDANCE IN LOK SABHA: 50 per cent.

NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ASKED OR ISSUES TAKEN UP: He participated in general budget debates and asked a couple of questions on four-laning of Jalandhar-Amritsar GT Road. He was on the panel of various parliamentary committees,but failed to take up the issue of reservation for border area youths.

OPINIONS: “As an MP,he is a total failure. Leave aside the grants,he did not even meet his constituents. He did not work in tandem with senior leaders in the area,” says Gurinderpal Singh Dhillon,former sarpanch of Padhari Kalan village.

“Dr Ajnala is cordial and a well-meaning politician. He did a lot for the area,but maybe the aspirations of the people are too high. It is true that he did not travel much in the constituency,but we should understand that about one-fourth of the areas in his constituency are new,” says Narinder Palasaur,former general secretary of Citizens’ Council in Tarn Taran.

Votes secured by top three candidates in 2004 election

Rattan Singh Ajnala (SAD-B): 3,64,646

Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria (Cong): 3,08,252

Tarlochan Singh Tur (Ind): 15,090