Jiyani’s elevation raises fazilka’s hopes

With the inclusion of local BJP MLA Surjit Jiyani in the Punjab Cabinet almost certain, the question that is being hotly discussed among a large section of residents of this town for the past two days is: Will Jiyani be able to get district status for this town after becoming a minister.

Sushil Gumber, convener, Sanjha Morcha, said that the Punjab government had promised that a decision in connection with the elevation of Fazilka town as a district would be taken by May 25. If no such decision is taken, the morcha would hold a meeting to decided the future course of action.

"Our hopes have gained strength as Jiyani is likely to be made minister tomorrow," he said, adding that Sanjha Morcha would not settle down till Fazilka gets district status, which had been denied to it by successive state governments. This cotton-rich town has witnessed a 150-day-long agitation launched under the banner of Sanjha Morcha, an umbrella body of all the organisations of the city, for getting district status.

Even Tikshan Sud, former Forest Minister, Punjab, had announced that the town would get district status by the end of April. Jiyani, Charan Singh, president, SAD, Fazilka circle, and Mohinder Partap Dhingra, chairman, Improvement Trust, had also observed a fast at the Clock Tower for a few days in January. Meanwhile, Jiyani, who was a minister from 1997 to 2002 in the previous SAD-BJP government, said that district status for Fazilka was on the cards. He said that a meeting of Sukhbir-Kalia Committee could not take place due to some reason and hence, district status for Fazilka could not be announced.

Read more: http://www.unp.me/f46/jiyani-s-elevation-raises-fazilka-s-hopes-151228/#ixzz1MP9S3NXm