E-Paper
MLA report cards: Darshan Singh Shivalik and Manpreet Singh Ayali
Hindustan Times takes a look at Punjab MLAs and their performance:
Darshan Singh Shivalik, 61, SAD
Constituency: Gill (SC)
Education: Class 10
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 4.4 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Congress candidate Malkit Singh Dakha by 5,317 votes
2007: Won from Dakha segment; this segment came up later in delimitation
Assembly record
Questions asked: 68
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Two-time MLA banks on local connect, wife is a councillor
What next No other strong contender in SAD here, so likely to recontest
How he performed
Darshan Singh Shivalik was shifted from Dakha segment to this new segment. In delimitation, this segment got under-developed rural areas of Ludhiana, comprising 150 villages. It is the biggest constituency of Punjab’s 117 in terms of area and voters (2012). Shivalik got initiated sewerage work, which is close to completion, and now construction of roads is on. When the MC did not give no-objection certificate for connecting these sewerage lines to the main line, he protested, and got the nod. He claims credit, in particular, for a 6.7-km sewerage line from Phullanwal to Lalton that was laid in three and a half months. But, waterlogging and pending project works continue to trouble people.
Voterspeak
Lack of sewerage was a major problem. Now, sewerage has been laid in almost all areas, and a water supply project is on. We hope the work is completed soon.
Om Parkash, 63, retd govt servant
Due to lack of sewerage, people were dependent on septic tanks. Now, sewerage has been laid and roads too are better. Power and water supply have also improved.
Harkesh Kumar, 42, property dealer
By the way
Starts the day with meditation and yoga
Manpreet Singh Ayali, 41, SAD
Constituency: Dakha
Education: Class 12
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 16 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Cong’s Jasbir Singh Khangura by 16,366 votes
2007: Did not contest; Darshan Singh Shivalik won this seat for the SAD
Assembly record
Questions asked: 29
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Has deep pockets, thanks to realty trade; close to Sukhbir
What next Will most probably get the ticket again from this segment
How he performed
A first-time MLA, Ayali got funds approved for work on lanes and bylanes. In his tenure, the condition of roads and other basic amenities, including streetlights and water supply, has improved considerably. A major achievement of Ayali is construction of 70 multi-purpose sports parks in his constituency having facilities of open gym and other infrastructure. He held meetings with youths to discuss which sport was prevalent in the villages where the sport parks were supposed to be built, and only after the recommendation from youth were these built. Other projects started by the MLA include a pond renovation project in which village chhappar or ponds were de-silted and the water made fit for non-drinking, household use.
Voter speak
he area did not have proper roads and there was dearth of potable water before 2012. In Ayali’s tenure, waterpipes were laid and road network in villages strengthened.
Mahinga Singh, 67, farmer
Sports parks developed in villages are beneficial to the youth who can train close to home. These parks also give the elderly and children a place to spend leisure time.
Jarnail Singh, 71, transporter
By the way
Wakes up at 5am, and hits the gym at home
Tomorrow: Raikot, Jagraon, Nihalsinghwala, Baghapurana
