Chandigarh, March 29: The Aam Admi Party (AAP), led by Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira, on Wednesday cornered Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for not cutting down on its fleet of advisers and OSDs to lessen fiscal burden on the state exchequer.
The issue was raised when Parliamentary Affairs and Health Minister Brahm Mohindra moved the Salaries and Allowances of Deputy Ministers, Punjab (Amendment) Bill, the East Punjab Ministers’ Salaries, (Amendment) Bill, the Salary and Allowances of Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly (Amendment) Bill, by which now the income tax of Chief Minister, other ministers and Leader of Opposition would be paid by themselves from March onwards.
While supporting the move of the government that would save Rs 11.08 crore on account of their income tax, Khaira said the government should cut the army of advisers and OSDs.
Punjab Laws (Special Provisions for Regulation of Unauthorised Colonies) Bill to regularise 8,000 illegal colonies developed up to March 19, 2018. The government plans to mop up at least Rs 500-600 crore as fee and penalty by charging the colonies as well as the plots and houses within them.
Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018, to replace the Punjab Police (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, to change the nomenclature of the supervisory level posts at zonal levels in the Punjab Police. It will allow posting of a DIG/IGP rank officers on supervisory posts in different zones.
It is aimed at establishing special operations group capable of countering and neutralising those indulging in crimes.Punjab Transparency and Accountability in Delivery of Public Service Bill: It aims at providing all services to the citizens through online mode in a transparent and time-bound manner with effective use of digital technology. The new legislation will replace the existing Right to Service Act, 2011.
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Punjab Amendment) Bill: It is aimed at prohibition of hookah/sheesha bars across the state.
Punjab Roads and Bridges Development Board (Amendment) Bill, 2018: It aims at providing for the payment of salary and other miscellaneous expenditure of the board from the Punjab Roads and Bridges Development Board Fund. The board shall be able to do so with the approval of the state government.
SC/BC Welfare Bill withdrawn
Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot came up with the amendment that would enable the government to reduce the strength of members of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled castes from 10 to three. The Bill was withdrawn after SAD MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu and BJP MLA Som Parkash objected to it.
Inquiry ordered
In reply to a question on widespread farmer harassment due to use of “spurious” herbicides raised by Akali MLA Bikram Singh Majithia, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced a thorough probe into the sale and supply of spurious pesticides and herbicides to farmers, warning of strict action against those found guilty.
‘Biased’ Speaker
Akali MLA Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal alleged that the Speaker did not, fairly, give equal time to all members. “No work has been carried out in my constituency. Many civil works there show open corruption. We need a Vigilance inquiry. But I and many like me are not allowed any time in the House,” he said.
Showdown between Speaker, Channi
As soon as motion to reconstitute the elected committee of the Vidhan Sabha for 2018-219 was tabled, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi objected to under representation of the Dalit MLAs in all committees. He expressed displeasure at the Speaker over giving under-representation to the Dalit MLAs. Amid the war of words between the two, the motion to reconstitute the committee on public accounts, estimates, public undertaking and SC/BC Welfare of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class were passed.
Selective hunting of wild animals allowed
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said following a notification dated March 15, SDMs have been empowered to allow licences to farmers to enable them to kill wild animals except swamp deer. This has been done to prevent crop loss in the foothills of the Shivaliks mainly due to wild boar and roz-antelope. Replying to a “Calling Attention Notice” on the menace of the wild animals by MLA Amarjit Singh Sandoa, the CM said Rs 8.16 crore was raised for barbed fencing in the last financial year.
CM fails to address query on cable mafia
Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday assured the House of a thorough prrobe into the alleged blackout of a private Punjabi TV channel by Fastway. However, he failed to address another MLA’s query on cable mafia. MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa earlier raised the issue of the reported blackout, which he termed as a blatant attack on the autonomy of media. However, MLA Kanwar Sandhu’s question on the delay in nailing the cable mafia by imposing entertainment tax was not replied by the CM.
Rabi procurement arrangements reviewed
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday reviewed the arrangements for wheat procurement and directed the DGP to take effective steps to counter any attempt to obstruct the procurement process. Directing the civil and police administration to ensure smooth procurement of wheat during the Rabi season, he said nobody would be allowed to disrupt the movement of transport during the lifting process.
Source Tribune India
