MALERKOTLA TO BE PUNJAB’S 23RD DISTRICT: AMARINDER

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday announced the creation of a new district of Malerkotla, carving the state’s only Muslim-majority town from Sangrur district.

Adjoining Amargarh and Ahmedgarh will also form part of Punjab’s 23rd district, according to the announcement at a state-level event on Eid-ul-fitr.

According Malerkotla, which is 35 km from the Sangrur district headquarters, a district status was a pre-poll promise by the Congress.

The chief minister also announced a Rs 500-crore medical college, a women’s college, a new bus stand and a women police station in Malerkotla.

“I know this has been a longpending demand,” he said through video conference.

In a tweet later, he said, “Happy to share that on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ulfitr, my govt has announced Malerkotla as the newest district in the state. The 23rd district holds huge historical significance. Have ordered to immediately locate a suitable site for the district administrative complex.”the CM said Punjab had 13 district at Independence. The chief minister underscored India’s secular character, which he said was manifested in the defeat of “communal forces” in the recent assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Malerkotla MLA Razia Sultana and state Congress president Sunil Jakhar also spoke on the occasion.