Make Focal Point areas a priority: FICO members

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 9

A delegation of industries under the leadership of Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO), met Jaskiran Singh, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, and Poonam Preet Kaur, Zonal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, to discuss the problems faced by the industries which needed immediate attention.

The delegation briefed that the infrastructure of Focal Points should be on priority because roads and sewerage in the area were in a poor condition.

They said female staff and workers were showing reluctance in joining industries established in Phase-VIII as they felt unsafe due to poor roads and infrastructure.

FICO members said the MSME sector was going through a phase of recession and in this crucial period, the MC had imposed charges on extraction of water from submersibles. The imposed charges were on retro-respective prospect and were applicable from 2010 which was unjustified as the industries in Focal Points did not get water supply from the MC. Moreover, the industries were already paying disposal charges on water as well as water and sewerage charges to the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana.

“We have requested the officials concerned to roll back the charges with immediate effect,” said Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of FICO.

He said garbage dumps were a common site at Focal Point areas which were destroying the green belt.

FICO delegation also discussed issues on storm sewer, non-operational street lights etc.

Poonam Preet Kaur instructed the officials concerned to immediately get the sewers cleaned and pump out water accumulated on roads in Focal Points.

She also instructed the officials concerned to get the sewers cleaned for proper drainage. She said the MC would send the revised 138-km detail project report (DPR) of Focal Point roads to the government so that work could be started as soon as possible.