Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday categorically asserted that not a single inch of farmers’ land would be allowed to be confiscated, while promising legislation in the forthcoming budget session to protect all such land from kurki. He also promised a thorough probe by the state Vigilance Bureau into the Rs 31000 crore foodgrain scam, which has been recently converted into term loan. His government would get to the root of the scam and ensure stringent punishment for the guilty, he added. The Chief Minister said that a 'White Paper' on the state's poor financial health would soon be made public to fix the accountability of all those responsible for the fiscal mess in Punjab. The 'White Paper' would be an eye opener for people and will acquaint them with the mismanagement and maladministration of the decade-long 'misrule' of the erstwhile SAD-BJP a government, he added. The Chief Minister said, in response to questions from media persons in the Vidhan Sabha gallery after the House was adjourned sine die, that not even an inch of any farmers' land would be confiscated at any cost and the state government would bring in a legislation in the soon to secure the rights of the peasantry and ensure that no farmer is harassed by any bank in case of non-payment of their outstanding loans. Banks have been directed not to issue any auction notices to farmers in case of non-payment, he disclosed.
Captain Amarinder Singh termed the press reports with this regard as totally baseless and factually incorrect. He exhorted the media not to report such things without verifying their veracity from competent authorities.Reiterating that his government would negotiate the loans of the farmers with banks, Captain Amarinder also disclosed that he was expecting the CCL funds to be released by the central government any time. On the issue of sending officers from Punjab government to UT Administration Chandigarh on deputation, the Chief Minister asked his Chief Principal Secretary to ensure that the existing norms of 60:40 ratio in respect of reorganisation of Punjab & Haryana are maintained at every cost. He promised to intervention personally with the Punjab Governor, who also happens to be Administrator of UT Chandigarh, if needed. The Chief Minister said, in reply to a question, that all cases of sacrilege in the state were being investigated and strengthened. To a question on the AAP protest in the assembly, the Chief Minister dubbed them as an anarchist party used to such behaviour. He said they had resorted to entry into the well of the House over the issue of seating of the Bains brothers. In response to another question, he promised steps for the development of Kandhukhera village, with which he had close relations. The transfer of Abhor and Fazilka, he said, would ensure speedy development of the village. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Media Advisor Mr. Raveen Thukral, Chief Principal Secretary Mr. Suresh Kumar and Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Varun Roojam.