With Punjab heading for the next State Assembly in early 2022, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday fulfilled a long-pending demand by announcing Malerkotla as the State’s 23rd district on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Chief Minister also announced a slew of projects for the development of the historic city, including setting up of a Medical College, Degree College, women police station, bus stand, among others, during the State-level celebration of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ held virtually in view of the pandemic situation.

On the occasion, 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.

Recalling the rich and glorious history of Malerkotla, the Chief Minister said that its conversion into a district, which was a long-standing demand of the local people, would ease the hardships of such people and enable them to resolve their administrative problems more seamlessly.

Initially, said the Chief Minister, the sub-divisions of Malerkotla and Ahmedgarh, as well as the sub-tehsil of Amargarh, would be included in the newly-created district. The process of bringing villages under the jurisdiction of Malerkotla district would begin later, after the conclusion of the census operations, he added.

The Chief Minister directed Sangrur Deputy Commissioner to find a suitable building to immediately start the functioning of the District Administration office. The Deputy Commissioner for the newly carved out district would be appointed soon, he said.

Announcing various development projects for the Malerkotla, the Chief Minister said that a Government Medical College, in the name of Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan, would soon be set up at a cost of Rs 500 crore, and the State Government had already allotted 25 acres of land on Raikot road to enable the local boys and girls to pursue medical education. The first installment of Rs 50 crore for this purpose had already been sanctioned, he added.

The Chief Minister also announced establishment of a Government College for Girls to impart quality higher education to the local girls, who currently have to travel long distances for the same.

A new bus stand will also be constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore, he said, adding that Malekotla will also get a ‘Mahila Thana’, to be exclusively managed by women.

To ensure holistic urban development of Malerkotla, the Chief Minister also announced a sum of Rs six crore under the Urban Environment Improvement Program (UEIP).

Further, to promote the cultural heritage of Malerkotla, the Chief Minister said that he had already written to His Highness the Aga Khan Foundation UK to undertake conservation and restoration of Mubarak Manzil Palace, occupied by Begum Sahiba Munawwar ul Nisa, the wife of Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan, the last ruler of Malerkotla.

“Punjab Government has acquired the Mubarak Manzil Palace, and its restoration and upkeep would be a befitting tribute to the Nawabs of Malerkotla to perpetuate the rich legacy of the historic city,” he said.