LESS WORK, MORE TALK

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Age: 55 Qualification: Graduate

Portfolio: Local bodies and tourism, cultural affairs and museums

Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the Congress after quitting the BJP on the eve of the 2017 assembly elections and became the local bodies’ minister when Capt Amarinder Singh formed the government. Vocal and aggressive, Sidhu raises issues that catch eyeballs and get him space in the media. He is a man in a hurry who tries to project himself as the leader of the state. He’s seeking the Chandigarh Lok Sabha ticket for wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu.

PROMISE: Restructure urban local bodies and make them self-sufficient, rationalise taxes, 50% reservation of women in civic bodies, timely devolution of funds, setting up an urban infrastructure development fund and establishing a separate authority for effective management and processing of domestic and industrial waste. Review and relocating the solid waste dumps in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Bathinda.

PERFORMANCE: With Rs 5,540-crore loans from Asian Development Bank, potable water projects for Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana and sewage system in 120 cities is expected to start soon. Reservation of 50% for women in civic bodies has been implemented and a separate directorate for fire department opened. A new policy for e-tendering and outdoor advertisement has been started and one-time settlement scheme for illegal buildings has begun. For solid waste management, the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) has been set up and a one-time settlement scheme launched to regularise unauthorised buildings. Relocation of solid waste dumps in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Bathinda remains incomplete. Most urban local bodies continue to be short of funds and most civic bodies have staff shortage up to 40%.

CONTROVERSIES: Sidhu often takes a contrary stand, particularly against chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. He called him the captain of the army and not his ‘captain’, who is party president Rahul Gandhi. Sidhu projects himself as Amarinder’s successor and even calls him a father-like figure whenever the two meet. The recent Indian Air Force strike at Balakote saw Sidhu questioning the number of Pakistani terrorists killed in the operation. In August 2018, he was in Pakistan for Imran Khan’s swearing-in as Pakistan prime minister. He made headlines for the controversial hug with Pakistani army chief after which he disclosed that Pakistan had offered to open the Kartarpur corridor. Of late, Sidhu is sulking for not being allowed to speak during a rally addressed by Rahul Gandhi. He is criticised for focusing on “bigger interests” and ignoring the local bodies department in the bargain.