Chandigarh, December 23, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said it was high time for the Congress government and chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to stop playing a blame game and answer people why they had pushed the State into bankruptcy.
In a statement here, SAD Spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said it would be better if the chief minister took action against Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu and the entire rank and file of the Congress party which was hailing Manpreet Singh Badal as a failed Finance Minister. “Earlier each and every section of society be it farmers, youth, Dalits or employees had declared Manpreet Badal as a failed FM.
Now the entire Congress rank and file has also bestowed this unique epithet on him. If you still find the overwhelming demand for Mr Manpreet Badal’s resignation from your own party men as ridiculous and don’t want to bring in any correction in handling of State finances then the repercussions are for you to bear also”.
Dr Cheema also reminded the chief minister that Mr Manpreet Badal had announced that he would turn around the State in three years. “It is going to be three years. Instead of witnessing increase in revenue collections, the State is heading towards bankruptcy with Mr Manpreet Badal himself proclaiming that the State treasury is empty”.
Asking the chief minister to give answers rather than resort to blame game, Dr Cheema said “Manpreet Badal has bankrupted the State despite being assured 15 per cent increase in erstwhile VAT under the GST regime. The State has been getting thousands of crores on this account and all GST dues pending from the centre have been cleared”.
The SAD leader said it was a matter of concern as to where State finances were going as no development has taken place. “Can you disclose one major development work done by you in the last three years?”, Dr Cheema asked adding “there is none.
That is is why the entire civil society including your own legislators and MPs are speaking out against Mr Manpreet Badal and demanding his ouster. Keeping or sacking the FM is your prerogative but you should at least ensure Punjab and Punjabis do not suffer due to this folly”, he added.
