In a first, 55% members of Jalandhar MC are women

Among 44 women councillors in House, only five are former councillors; four are popular faces and are even in the race for the mayor’s

The MC House will witness many first-timers this time with most of them being women councillors. During the recent elections, as many as 44 out of 80 seats have been won by women councillors.

Among 44 women councillors, only five are former councillors with four being popular faces. They are even in the race for the mayor’s post. Sunita Rinku, wife of MLA (West) Sushil Kumar Rinku, Uma Beri, wife of MLA (central) Rajinder Beri, Sunita Arora and Surinder Kaur are some of the councillors, who have been active in the municipal corporation.

The HT interacted with some first-time councillors to know their plans for the development of their respective wards.

Satinder Kaur’s husband Kawalpreet Singh has been associated with the Congress for the past 25 years. Kaur is a councillor from ward number 71 and wants to solve the sewerage problem in her ward.

“Sewerage water spillage in clean water, no proper drainage system are major problems of my ward. Areas like New Sheetal Nagar, Aman Nagar, Nagra Pind are badly affected,” said Kaur.

Shweta Dhir, 41-year-old councillor from ward number 41, has already started visiting Jalandhar municipal corporation office. While talking to HT, Dhir said that poor condition of roads in her ward are the biggest challenge, as they often lead to minor accidents.

“I have already started visiting areas to find the roads that needs to be repaired. The main road of Raj Nagar and its adjoining areas need to be addressed on priority,” said Shweta Dhir.

Tamanreet Kaur from ward number 1 is one of the highest qualified councillors in MC from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). PhD in Geology, 30-yearold Kaur wants to solve the problem of parks in the area.

“There are fewer parks in the area. No facility of garbage dumping and dysfunctional streetlights are also some of the issues. There are many other areas, which needs to be addressed,” said Tamanpreet Kaur.

I want to resolve the issue of sewage mixing with drinking water supply and of drainage system in my ward. SATINDER KAUR, councillor There are few parks in the area. No facility of garbage dumping and dysfunctional streetlights are issues of my ward. TAMANREET KAUR, councillor