E-Paper
MLA report cards: Hari Singh Zira and Joginder Singh Jindu
Hindustan Times takes a look at Punjab MLAs and their performance:
Hari Singh Zira, 75, Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Zira
Education: Under matric
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 5.5 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Naresh Kataria of Congress by a margin of 11,967 votes
2007: Lost to Naresh Kataria of Congress by 12,372 votes
Assembly record
Questions asked: 47
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Being a veteran Akali, he connects well with chief minister
What next Likely to get the Akali Dal ticket again
How he performed
Credit goes to the MLA for improving the basic infrastructure, including laying pucca streets and installing solar lights in the town. He also claims to have got constructed 58-km roads in rural areas under the Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojana. He also got a sewerage treatment plant established at Makhu. But the residents rue that area remained deprived of a major industrial project that could have generated employment. Illegal sand mining in various parts of the segment too is a burning issue. No steps were taken to make functional the only sugar mill. As the government failed to repair two bridges at Keimwali and Jattawali on Rajasthan Feeder, villagers contributed from their own pockets to construct a iron bridge, which goes against him..
Voter speak
He is not shrewd like politicians generally are known for. Area saw some development, but remained deprived of any big project to generate employment..
Urvashi Chaudary, 24, student
His close aides are into illegal sand mining. The MLA shifted all main offices from the heart of town to an area adjoining to his land for obvious reasons. Sugar mill is lying defunct.
Gurbhej Singh, 27, transporter.
By the way
Known for his straight-forward outlook
Joginder Singh Jindu, 70, Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Ferozepur (Rural)
Education: Under matric
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 2.5 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Congress’ greenhorn Satkar Kaur by 162 votes
2007: Did not contest; the constituency came up after delimitation
Assembly record
Questions asked: 47
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch He belongs to the extended Majithia clan
What next Likely to get the Akali Dal ticket again
How he performed
Even though he was a first-time MLA, he mingled well with all sections of society and tried his best to deliver to their satisfaction in this newly carved segment. He claimed to have ushered in an era of development in the area. He lists the maiden government degree college, a meritorious school, a multi-crore skill centre as his main achievements. He takes credit for pumping in `40 crore into infrastructure development. Sewerage was laid in semi-rural areas, including Talwandi Bhai, Mudki and Mamdot. During the recent rise in tension between India and Pakistan, he led from the front to help border natives to move to safer places. He gets support from his sons (both members of Cantonment Board) as they attend to people in his absence..
Voter speak
The MLA might be making tall claims of development works, but at the ground level, electorate failed to get any benefit as the works were not executed properly.
Harjinder Singh, 36, shopkeeper.
He fetched a number of projects for the rural areas and remained accessible round the clock to the public. He kept himself away from controversies and performed well.
Ravi Sharma, 33, farmer.
By the way
A former wrestler, he is health freak, but foodie.
Tomorrow: Ferozepur (urban), Guruharsahai, Jalalabad, Fazilka
