India

Congress seeks CAG audit into Punjab's excise policy under AAP

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Feb, 2025 01:52 PM

Chandigarh, Feb 27 (IANS) In the wake of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reporting the alleged misdeeds of the former Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Thursday urged the government auditor to initiate a similar probe in Punjab.

"As per the CAG report, the Delhi government incurred a loss of Rs 2,002 crore because of alleged irregularities in formulating and implementing the excise policy in the AAP regime in 2021-22. The CAG report also revealed that the AAP government’s spending on advertising campaigns surged by 1,200 per cent between 2018 and 2022," Bajwa said in a statement.

The Congress leader said it is pertinent to mention here that the AAP replicated Delhi's excise policy in Punjab after it formed the government here.

"Similarly, the AAP government in Punjab followed its masters sitting in Delhi to falsely publicise its performance. There were occasions when the AAP’s Punjab government broadcast advertisements in states other than Punjab, squandering Punjab’s exchequer. Therefore, I urge the CAG to take cognisance of the same and launch a probe in Punjab to examine irregularities in Punjab,” he said.

Bajwa said after three years into power, the AAP government in Punjab has "now woken up from its deep slumber" to form a five-member Cabinet committee to tackle the rapidly growing drug menace in Punjab. However, the promise was to end drug abuse in Punjab within three months of forming the government, he noted.

"Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s promise to make Punjab a drug-free state by the Independence Day of 2024 has also proven to be hollow. They have been lying ever since they formed the government in Punjab," said Bajwa.

Noting that the cabinet committee would be chaired by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the Congress leader said that before heading the committee, he should streamline Punjab's economy which has been on the verge of collapse.

Prev Next

MORE India ARTICLES

'Sikh prisoners in jail for 3 decades', Manish Tewari seeks debate on remission policy

A day after convicts in the infamous Bilkis Bano case were released, Congress leader Manish Tewari on Tuesday took up the case of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails and called for a uniformity in the definition of remission policy. "There must be uniformity across the country about definition of life imprisonment & remissions permissible".

'Sikh prisoners in jail for 3 decades', Manish Tewari seeks debate on remission policy

Prayer at Akal Takht to commemorate lakhs of Punjabis who died during Partition

Lakhs of Punjabis, who lost their lives during the 1947 India-Pakistan Partition of the country, were remembered at Akal Takht on Tuesday. A special Ardas Samagam (prayer congregation) was organised in this regard at Akal Takht, in which, tributes were paid to lakhs of people who lost their lives during the country's Partition.

Prayer at Akal Takht to commemorate lakhs of Punjabis who died during Partition

Man in UP kills father, sisters over property

The incident took place in Baraut town and the motive behind it is said to be a property dispute. Circle Officer (CO) Yuvraj said that the deceased included Brijpal, 60, Jyoti, 24 and Anuradha, 17.

Man in UP kills father, sisters over property

Punjab CM dedicates Aam Aadmi Clinic in Ludhiana

The Chief Minister said these clinics will be opened in every nook and corner of the state, adding, that in big villages, two such clinics will be opened for the convenience of the people. He said in the first phase, 75 such Aam Aadmi clinics have been dedicated to people to mark the 75th Independence Day.

Punjab CM dedicates Aam Aadmi Clinic in Ludhiana

PM Modi hoists Tricolour at Red Fort; remembers freedom fighters

Addressing the nation from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi said that the citizens are thankful to Bapu, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar and others who sacrificed their lives on the path of duty.

PM Modi hoists Tricolour at Red Fort; remembers freedom fighters

I-Day: With 1,000 high res cameras, anti-drone system, Red Fort turns into impenetrable fortress

As India celebrates the 75th Independence Day with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm, police in the national capital have made stringent security arrangements, especially at the Red Fort, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his address to the nation.