Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, October 18
Constructed at a cost of around Rs 2 crore in 2010 in the heart of the city, the Rai Sikh Bhawan in this border district presents a picture of apathy and neglect.
Ironically, the building, which was constructed for the welfare of Rai Sikh community, has already started crumbling down. Moreover, neither was it put to use for the designated purpose during the last decade nor it was handed over to the community. In absence of any measures for its maintenance, upkeep and security, the building is now in a dilapidated shape and has turned into a haven for drug addicts. Most of the doors and windows are broken or stolen. The tiles on the outside are dislocated and even the grills, besides the entry gate of the building, are missing.
Earlier, Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Congress MLA from Guruharsahai, had played an instrumental role in procuring funds for the construction of this building. However, the building was never handed over to Rai Sikhs and was used by the administration for various purposes. Sher Singh Ghubaya, former MP from Ferozepur and also a Rai Sikh leader, said the designated funds which were released for the construction of the bhawan were never completely utilised. “I requested the district administration to handover the building to Rai Sikhs several times, but it never happened,” said the former MP, while demanding that an inquiry should be conducted to check the quality of material used in the construction of the building.
Ferozepur’s Rai Sikh Bhawan turns ‘haven’ for addicts
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