Sunam MLA and AAP co-convener Aman Arora on Friday accused Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh of lying on the floor of the House, while claiming free weighbridges were available for the farmers in 32 grain markets.Releasing documents procured through the RTI Act by activist Rajesh Aggarwal, Arora said none of the 32 weighbridges was functioning.
He sought a breach of privilege motion against the CM. He has also written a letter to the CM asking him to clarify and take action against officials who were misinforming him.Arora said in reply to a question in the last session of the Assembly regarding weighbridges, the CM had said a total of 32 weighbridges were installed in different mandis, including one in Mansa.He claimed: “The Market Committee of Mansa in response to a RTI query clearly denied having any weighbridge.
Further, in total contradiction to the number of weighbridges being 32, a letter from Secretary, Mandi Board, to Director, Food and Supplies, mentions the number of weighbridges to be 39.“The CM had claimed that all weighbridges were functional and that free weighing of farmers produce is being done in all mandis. But not even a single committee confirmed it. Moreover, Ajnala and Rajpura committees stated that no weighing had been done to date.
The remaining committees stated unavailability of any record for the same.“The CM had also stated that all 32 technically modern weighbridges were given on a monthly lease of Rs 5,000, amounting to a total of Rs 60,000 per month per weighbridge, whereas a weighbridge at Faridkot Mandi installed in 1983 has been leased at Rs 2,88,200 annually, which clearly indicates embezzlement by the Mandi Board,” he alleged.
Source Tribune India
