Ex-MLA to start stir for district status to Batala

Tribune News Service

Batala, July 21

With elections fast approaching, voices to make Batala — the eighth largest town of Punjab in terms of population which is already enjoying the status of a police district – a full-fledged revenue district are getting louder.

Former MLA Jagdeesh Sahni has threatened to launch an agitation if the demand is not met before the polls.

There was a move, ahead of the 2012 Assembly elections, to upgrade the status of the sub-divisional town to a district. However, the state government bent backwards to appease its alliance partner — the BJP – and made Pathankot a district, leaving Batala in the doldrums.

Batala and Pathankot were part of Gurdaspur district before Pathankot was carved out as a separate entity. Batala still remains a part of Gurdaspur district and residents claim that the latest move to get it separated may act as a catalyst in its development.

Sahni says he has the support of lawyers, various NGOs and almost all political parties as the move would propel the town, once known the world over for its foundry units and cast iron products, to new heights in terms of development.

“Once our demand is fulfilled, the Municipal Committee (MC) will automatically be upgraded to a Municipal Corporation following which more funds will flow from the state government. Even now, the town is more developed than its parent town of Gurdaspur. Moreover, the city has already been accorded the status of a police district,” said Sahni.

He said that he would be meeting the Chief Minister soon to get this demand fulfilled.

“A similar move was initiated in 1996. The state government had even sanctioned the post of ADC (General) following which IAS officer NS Kalsi was posted. Later, the move fizzled out. Now, residents have to travel to faraway Gurdaspur to get their administrative work done.