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Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 20
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had announced Rs30 crore to improve the condition of Focal Points in the city during his recent visit to the industrial city, where a majority of the industries are run, generating a whopping tax for the government.
Local industrialists, however, feel that the funds announced by the CM were nothing but peanuts, with which no major improvement could be made in Focal Points.
President, Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO), Gurmeet Singh Kular said with this meagre amount, we cannot change the condition of Focal Points.
“A rough report was prepared with the help of industrialists about the expenditure on bringing an improvement in Focal Point areas and as per that rough estimate, at least Rs185 crore is required to change the condition of Focal Points for good. There are eight Focal Points in the city. In addition to these, three industrial areas and one industrial estate is there, which need immediate attention, as these are in miserable condition,” said Kular.
“The local industry expected much relief from the CM, but even the basics cannot be improved, it seems. We remain here for about 8-10 hours and the industry gives us bread and butter, employment to lakhs and handsome revenue to the government. There is nothing wrong if we ask the government to provide us with decent infrastructure — roads, clean sewerage, operational street lights among other things,” said Badish Jindal, FOPSIA president.
The situation of some of the roads in Focal Points is so bad, that one has to drive the four-wheeler with speed like that of a horse cart. The sewerages are choked in many areas and puddles of dirty water are witnessed. The situation gets worse during the rainy season. A lot of time and energy of industrialists is drained by the time they reach their factory units, he said.
Pankaj Sharma, president, Association of Focal Points, said the CM had announced a package of Rs32 crore for Focal Points, which was very less. “Industrialists are disappointed with the relief. We were expecting the CM to announce at least Rs100 cr for Focal Points as the condition of roads and sewerage is pathetic and they need more funds for repair works. But it seems we will have to work in such pitiable conditions, as there is no hope from the government,” he said.
‘Spend tax money on industrial areas and see the difference’
Gurmeet Singh Kular said with proper planning, the condition of Focal Points and Industrial Areas can be improved. He said money collected as water and sewerage charges from the industry should be spent on the industry only and one can see a difference. “To make roads better in posh areas, the MC keeps spending unnecessarily. We object to it and ask the authorities to spend our money here and provide us with basic infrastructure,” said Kular.