SAD leader in Lambi holds dual office

Sahib Singh has been zila parishad member and gram panchayat member for the past two years

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Lambi, October 2

In violation of laws, a SAD leader in CM’ home turf Lambi is holding two posts together and that too for the past more than two years.

Sahib Singh, a native of Khudian Gulab Singh village in the Lambi Assembly segment, is a zila parishad member as well as a gram panchayat member.

As per official records, Sahib Singh, who was elected zila parishad member unopposed from the Fatehpur Manian zone in May 2013, was later elected gram panchayat member from Ward No 1 of Khudian Gulab Singh village in July 2013.

Surprisingly, the district administration is well aware of the fact, but is unable to take any action in this regard.

Sources say Sahib Singh enjoys the patronage of a senior SAD leader of the Lambi area, who is considered close to the ruling Badals, thus nobody seems to be initiating any action against him.

When contacted, SAD leader Davinder Singh, sarpanch of Khudian Gulab Singh village, said, “Sahib Singh is a gram panchayat member from our village. He is also a zila parishad member from Fatehpur Manian. I am not sure whether the government gives permission for this or not.” Similarly, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Muktsar, Ramvir Singh, said, “Someone brought this issue to our notice. We have sought opinion of the Director, Rural Development and Panchayats Department.”

But sources claimed the administration was dilly-dallying in giving reply to a RTI query filed in this regard.

However, SS Brar, State Election Commissioner, Punjab, termed it as violation of rules, saying, “If someone informs us about such a person, action will definitely be taken against him/her. It is clear that nobody can hold two elected posts at the same time. He/she has to withdraw from one post.”

A woman from Lalpura village in Gurdaspur had yesterday complained to Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal that Sahib Singh had allegedly duped her of Rs 5 lakh.

Courtesy: The Tribune