Punjab Cong MLA, SDM get into verbal spat

A day after a sitting Congress MLA and local SDM reportedly indulged in a verbal spat at a meeting here, opposition Congress today asked the Punjab government to direct its officers to pay respect to the elected representatives.
Punjab Congress MLA Kuljeet Singh Nagra and Sub Divisional Magistrate Pooja Syal Grewal were allegedly involved in a verbal dual at a meeting held at Sirhind Municipal Council office here yesterday over an anti-encroachment drive.
Peeved at Nagra's behaviour, the SDM lodged a complaint against him for allegedly using abusive language.
However, Nagra refuted the accusations levelled against him by the SDM.

He said the SDM was not following protocol and had asked shopkeepers to contact her instead of approaching the elected representative of the area.
Grewal had complained to Deputy Commissioner Arun Sekhri that she had only told the people that they could directly approach her over their grievances as it was her duty.

She alleged that MLA Nagra got agitated over this and used "foul language".
The meeting was held yesterday to discuss encroachments at the Old Sirhind Grain Market.
The SDM was not cooperative as she did not arrive "on time for the meeting", Nagra alleged.
The Congress MLA said he had submitted a complaint of violation of protocol against the SDM, to the Deputy Commissioner.

A copy had been sent to the Punjab Assembly speaker, he added.
Sekhri confirmed that Grewal had complained about the MLA abusing her in front of the public.
Meanwhile, supporters of Fatehgarh Sahib Congress MLA Nagra today burnt effigy of Grewal.
They alleged false allegations were levelled against the MLA who has been regularly raising issues in public favour.
Though the MLA was elected representative of people but he was not called in officials meeting held in Fatehgarh Sahib assembly segment, the protesters alleged.
Meanwhile, women activists of Akali Dal led by Balbir Kaur today submitted memorandum to Fatehgarh Sahib DC and demanded the MLA should apologies for "using foul language" against a female officer otherwise they will gherao the MLA family.