Reports of closure of sewa kendras worry staff

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 16

The government decision of shutting down sewa kendras in the state has created a panicky situation in the rural belt of the district.

At present, a total of 140 sewa kendras are running in Jalandhar district, of which around 108 are located in rural areas. The decision is likely to affect the closing of centres in villages.

Suraj Kler, assistant district manager, said: “Till now, no official intimidation has been provided from the government. The only information we have is from news sources. However, if any sort of action is taken then it will be Type 3 kendras that will be shut down.”

The district has 140 centres which are divided into three types. Type 1 is the main office located at the DC office, Type 2 include 31 sewa kendras set up at urban locations of the city and remaining 108 of Type 3 are in rural areas, having only single operator at each such centre.

The government has been claiming that the kendras, which were also recognised as the dream project of the previous SAD government, are running in losses. Hence being an additional baggage on the government, it has to cut down on the kendras.

On the other hand, a worker at one of the Sewa Kendras said: “If these centres will be shut down, the staff working there will be unemployed and, hence, the Congress government’s ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ (employment in every household) would be in abeyance. Moreover, delivery of services such as affidavit attestation, marriage certificates, pensions, revenue records and government documents will be a hit at every rural location.”