De-addiction centre awaits VVIP for inauguration

Badals’ home district

• Muktsar, being the home district of the ruling Badals, has the status of VVIP district in state. Even Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal keep visiting their native Badal village frequently. The trio had visited the district recently, yet the inauguration of the centre was not on their schedule.

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 8

A 50-bed de-addiction and rehabilitation centre at Thehri village in Gidderbaha subdivision of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home district Muktsar is ready for inauguration, but the inaugural ceremony of the new building has been delayed for more than a fortnight now as the expected VVIP has not indicated the dates on which the programme can be held.

The Punjab Mandi Board constructed this building on nearly 3.25 acres at a cost of Rs 4.8 crore. Notably, the building was handed over to the Health Department last month, but it is lying unutilised till date.

The civil administration has also formed a drug de-addiction society in the district. The Deputy Commissioner, along with other senior officials of the district administration, too has inspected the building.

Notably, the state government has constructed these centres in all 22 districts in the state with an aim to reform the addicts by giving de-addiction treatment.

A senior officer in the district administration told The Tribune that they had informed the higher-ups that the centre was ready for inauguration, but awaiting approval in this regard.

Sources say the administration is trying that the centre be either inaugurated by the Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

When contacted, Dr Jagjivan Lal, Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, said, “The de-addiction and rehabilitation centre is ready for inauguration. It will be inaugurated soon.”

Asked whether the administration was awaiting any VVIP to inaugurate this much publicised centre, Dr Jagjivan said, “I can’t comment in this regard. The decision about inauguration has to be taken by senior officers.”

On the equipment and deployment of the staff, the Civil Surgeon said three medical officers and equipment would come only after the inauguration of the building.

Courtesy: The Tribune