Dismissing as baseless the allegations that Justice (Retd) Ranjit Singh had been denied appointment for the submission of his report into the sacrilege cases, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said the Commission was yet to complete its probe and hence the final report was not ready for submission.Interacting with mediapersons in the press gallery of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister clarified his stand on various issues, including Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision to work on TV shows, the rising prices of sand and gravel in the state, the Irrigation scams, leakage of the STF report, his government’s decision to allow universities and colleges to hold student union elections, and the expansion of his cabinet.On the Justice (Retd) Ranjit Singh's Commission of Enquiry, the Chief Minister made it clear that while it had completed its probe into the Behbal Kalan and Bargari incidents, other cases of sacrilege of holy scriptures like Srimad Bhagvad Geeta, Quaran and Sri Gutka Sahib were still in the process of investigation. Once the entire investigation is completed, the government would immediately take the complete report instead of receiving it piece-meal, he added.To a question about Local Government Minister Navjot Sidhu’s participation in television shows, the Chief Minister reiterated his earlier stand that he did not find anything wrong in the same. It was Sidhu’s source of livelihood, said the Chief Minister, adding, “If someone asks me to give up agriculture tomorrow, do you really think I can do that, since it is my source of livelihood?”
The Chief Minister also made it clear that he had obtained all the requisite approvals and clearances from the authorities concerned before execution of any type of construction activity or boring of tube-well at his farm house in Siswan.On the issue of multicrore scams in the Irrigation Department, the Chief Minister said that the Vigilance Department was already investigating the entire issue. He assured that no one would be spared, if found guilty, irrespective of how high or influential he may be.Replying to a question on the skyrocketing prices of Sand and Gravel, the Chief Minister attributed it to his government’s clampdown on illegal mining, which had resulted in scarcity of construction material. A cabinet sub-committee had been constituted and mandated with the task of monitoring the situation and giving recommendations to tackle the problem of illegal mining effectively, besides ensuring supply of sand and gravel at affordable prices, said Captain Amarinder Singh. The committee would soon submit its report after which the present crises would ease out, he added.Referring to the issue of leakage of STF report in the media, the Chief Minister said the matter would be investigated and action taken accordingly. He made it clear that anyone found involved in drugs, irrespective of his/her political affiliation, would be punished as per the law of the land.
Replying to a query regarding the expansion of his Cabinet, the Chief Minister said that he would be seeking an appointment with AICC president Rahul Gandhi in this regard soon after the Budget session.On the issue of enacting legislation of conflict of interest to bring propriety and integrity in the public life, the Chief Minister said that the Government was already working in this direction.Justifying the levying of development tax of Rs. 200 on Income Tax payees, the Chief Minister said that this decision had been taken for the creation of a dedicated fund to meet social obligations such as payment of financial assistance on account of pensions to elderly, widows, destitute besides physically challenged and Ashirwad. There was pressure from world bodies such as IMF and ADM to levy such taxes to mop up finances as a pre-condition to them pitching in with money, he explained.To a question regarding restoration of Student Unions' elections in the state universities from the academic session 2018-19, Captain Amarinder Singh said that since this democratic process was in place before Punjab was plunged into turbulence, it had been decided to revive the same in view of the peace and stability prevailing in the state now. Denying any apprehension of involvement of gangsters in these elections, the Chief Minister warned that any such attempt would be tackled with an iron hand.
To a question about recruitment of new college teachers, the Chief Minister said that the government had already decided to open 10 more degree colleges in the state. As far as the new recruitment of teachers was concerned, that would be done as soon as the state’s fiscal condition improves, he added.On the issue of teaching foreign languages like Chinese, Italian, French etc in schools as optional subject, the Chief Minister said that it was important in the current global scenario, where the world had become a global village, making it necessary for youth aspiring to find jobs overseas to know the language of that country. Captain Amarinder Singh pointed out that Mandarin language was catching up fast amongst the people of various countries in view of the expanding Chinese market, which offers enormous job opportunities to youth.The Chief Minister also underlined the need for Punjab’s students to learn English, especially in rural areas, along with studying their mother tongue to enable them to compete with their peers at the global level.Rubbishing the claims of opposition about harassment and exploitation of NRIs at the hands of the state government, the Chief Minister said the government was sensitive to their problems and was ready to offer all help to redress their grievances. He said that the unique initiative of 'Connect with Your Roots' would go a long way in helping NRIs connect better with their glorious traditions and values.