Late MLA’s family on brink of starvation

Late MLA’s family on brink of starvation
Rajay Deep/TNS

Bathinda, May 8

When a large number of politicians are minting money for their kin, the family of the late Harditt Singh Poohli, a three-time MLA of the Shiromani Akali Dal from Bathinda, is facing starvation.
Winning the assembly polls three times in a row, once from Pakka Kalan and twice from Nathana, Poohli worked hard for the welfare of the people. An active member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) from 1961 till his death in 1990, he was jailed a number of times. He also participated in the Dharam Yudh Morcha.

Changed Fortunes Harditt Singh Poohli was elected MLA from Bathinda three times in a row Active member of SGPC, he participsated in Akali's Dharam Yudh Morcha His daughter-in-law Dyal Kaur collects garbage to earn a living; 2 sons are working as daily wagers She had to pull out her grand-daughter from school for lack of recources

Sadly, no Akali leader has come forward to help his family that is in dire straits now. Poohli’s eldest son Balvir Singh died after prolonged illness for lack of adequate medical aid.
His widow, Dyal Kaur, began collecting garbage from houses of rich landlords to earn a livelihood after her son Bhola Singh was injured in a road accident and another, Beant Singh, paralysed following an electric shock.
Her sons regained health and are working as daily wage labourers but she continues to collect garbage to make both ends meet.
Penury forced Dyal Kaur to pull her grand-daughter out from school last year after matriculation.
Dyal Kaur’s kitchen is sans grain or utensils. Her house comprises a single room partitioned by a plastic sheet. The doors are damaged too.
Speaking to The Tribune, Dyal Kaur said she had tried approaching the Chief Minister’s family a number of times but in vain. What is commendable about the late leader’s family is that despite the apathy by Akali leaders, it remains committed to the SAD.
Senior vice-president of the SAD Charanji Lal Garg, when contacted, said: “I will take up the matter with the party president as well as the Chief Minister to ensure the best possible help to the family.”
I will take up the matter with the party president as well as the Chief Minister to ensure the best possible help to the family. — Charanji Lal Garg, SAD senior vice-president