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Attari, Recognising the bravery of 17-year-old Karanbir Singh, who had saved 15 children after their school bus fell off a bridge at Muhawa village in 2016, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today gave him a reward of Rs 1 lakh from his own pocket.
The minister, who drove to the residence of Karanbir, also announced Rs 10 lakh for the repair of vulnerable bridges in the border belt.
Amid objection by some affected residents who had lost their children in the mishap, a committee to oversee the repair work was constituted in the name of Karanbir, who also received bravery award from PM Narendra Modi on January 24.
Even more than a year after the mishap, the “killer” bridge still does not have the mandatory safety railing. The Muhawa panchayat had provided around Rs 8 lakh, but the money was spent on the repair and widening of the bridge.
Sidhu said: “I am honoured to meet the little hero. He had saved many precious lives. Karanbir had desired that the bridges be repaired. We will get the work done on priority.”
Karanbir said: “It was an unexpected visit of the minister. I am thankful for the reward.”
Former sarpanch of Muhawa village Gurnam Singh, whose seven-year-old grandson Robinpreet had died in the mishap, objected that none of the parents who lost their children were put in the committee formed by Sidhu. “We have lodged our protest, but in vain. We had no objection that the minister recognised Karanbir’s bravery, but it was his duty to at least listen to the affected parents as well,” he said.
