A public display of warmth between Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi and suspended Congress MLA Jarnail Singh became the centre of discussion during a District Grievance Committee Meeting in Sirsa.
Bedi, who holds the Social Justice and Empowerment portfolio in the Haryana Government, was chairing a meeting at the District Panchayat Resource Centre (DPRC) in Sirsa. Ratia MLA Jarnail Singh was also in attendance, while Tohana MLA Parmveer Singh joined towards the end of the proceedings.
Before the meeting began, Bedi greeted Jarnail Singh with a hug in front of mediapersons, triggering political chatter. Jarnail Singh was suspended by the Congress after allegations of cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana. Since then, the MLA has often been seen praising Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at public events.
The meeting saw the minister get peeved when a complainant who had lodged a grievance against the Power Department failed to appear. An annoyed Bedi questioned officials, saying the administration had assembled for the meeting after he travelled from Chandigarh to hear grievances. “We are sitting here with the entire administration, while the complainant is comfortably sitting at home,” the minister remarked, directing officials to keep the matter pending and ensure the complainant’s presence next time. The complaint pertained to low-hanging electricity wires in Dhani Sanchla village. Residents claim the wires continue to pose an accident risk after temporary repairs.
Bedi also pulled up officials from the Irrigation Department over incomplete details in a pending pipeline-related complaint and asked them to come fully prepared in future meetings. A complaint alleging illegal road construction in an unauthorised colony in Ratia was also discussed at the meeting. The minister assured an inquiry, while cautioning the complainant against assuming that his version alone was correct.
In another case, Bedi warned Education Department officials of action if an allegedly unrecognised school in Banmandori village was found operational despite claims that it had been shut down. The meeting was the first one in nearly 10 months that was held in the presence of a minister. In recent months, the district grievance committee meetings have largely been chaired by the DC, leading to reduced participation from committee members.
