Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today promised that the Congress government will set up a powerful institution of Lokpal that will include the Chief Minister under its jurisdiction. “We will clean the system from the top”, he announced.Responding to the demands of the party workers that they be allowed to avenge the atrocities and excesses particularly the false and fabricated cases registered against them by the Akalis, Capt Amarinder promised that not only will the cases be cancelled the same day of the government formation, but all those responsible for fabricating cases will be subjected to reciprocal justice.The PCC president was here to interact with the office bearers of the Amritsar rural and urban district units to take their feedback for the forthcoming elections. He met the urban and rural office bearers separately.
Replying to a question about some black sheep within the party working against the official candidates, he said, “the traitors will neither be tolerated nor spared”. He made it categorically clear that those found guilty of working against the official party candidates will have no place in the party.Responding to the demands of fielding particular candidates from particular constituencies, Capt Amarinder said, the winnability of the candidates will be thoroughly assessed which will also include the feedback from the local party workers of the area.He reiterated that no MLA or those who contested the elections will be appointed or nominated to various posts in the government. He said, every senior worker and leader will suitably rewarded and rehabilitated in the government.About the demands for accommodating youth and women, he said, everybody will be provided fair representation based on their chances of winning the elections. He assured the workers that unlike in the past, this time only the right, deserving and winning candidates will given tickets.
On the issue of corruption Capt Amarinder said, there will be “zero-tolerance” towards corruption. IN the same context he said, his government will set up a strong institution of Lokpal. He recalled that during his previous term he had started the tenure with jailing the then corrupt chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission, besides dismissing from services 32 corrupt officials.
The former Chief Minister announced that when the Congress forms government, it will work towards implementing the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. He wondered as why the government of India was not prepared to implement the recommendations. “Why do you appoint commissions if you don’t have any intention to implement its recommendations?” he asked.Prominent among those present today included OP Soni, Sukh Sarkaria, Dr Raj Kumar Verka, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Gurjeet Aujla, Harpartap Ajnala, Rajiv Bhagat, Sardool Singh, Ranjit Singh Chhajalwadi, Tarsem DC, Laly Majithia, SS Kathunangal, Karanjit Rintu, Sunil Datti, Jasbir Singh Dimpa and others.
Supports jewellers demands
Capt Amarinder also attended the protest meeting of the Jewellers’ association on the Mall Road here. He supported their demand for the withdrawal of one percent excise duty on their trade. He said, earlier the Congress government had withdrawn it. He criticised the insensitivity of the central government towards the jewellers who have been protesting for over a month now.Capt Amarinder said, the Congress party fully endorsed and supported their demand for its withdrawal saying, it was totally uncalled for.He regretted that the jewellers all over the country were on an indefinite strike/agitation against the levy of one per cent excise duty and the mandatory TCS over transaction value of Rs 2 lakhs and still the government remained unmoved.“The congress party stands with and for the cause of jewellers in the entire country,”, he said adding it was an irony that the same policy was so vociferously condemned and contested by the BJP, when in opposition and was now advocating and imposing the same.The PCC president said, the Congress will support the jewellers/karigars/wwarnkars in all respects for their genuine demand of complete rollback of excise and enhancing the TCS limit to Rs ten lakhs.