Claiming that Badals have robbed the basic rights of more than 13,000 Gram Panchayts of state, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s State Convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira today said that Akalis have ruined the basic Panchayati Raj System, which was one of the basic strength of Indian democracy.“Panchayats are being forced to work like ‘Puppets’ on the instructions of Akali Jathedars”, Chhotepur and Khaira accompanied by AAP leader Aman Arora said adding that now Panchayats are left with virtually zero percent role in the rural development as every decision is being taken by the ‘Political Bosses” and funds are also being distributed according to their wish.
Chhotepur said that it is ‘murder’ of democracy, as funds allocated for rural development are being spent in a way that some particular persons are benefitted and supporters of opposition parties are being denied any development.“During poll campaign, Akalis make big promises to bring democracy at Panchayat level but ultimately they adopt divide and rule policy at village level with corruption in the helm of affairs during funds distribution”, Khaira said.While unveiling some documents pertaining to 39 Panchayats of Dhilwan block, Khaira claimed that grants of Rs 25 crore are being distributed and 50 per cent of such funds were embezzled by the Akali Jathedars.Khaira revealed that he would soon file a writ petition in Punjab & Haryana High Court, so that Panchayats may have freedom from the political clutches for the rural development.
Punjab is under debt of more than 2.25 lakh crores: Khaira
Revealing detail of the total debt on Punjab Sukhpal Khaira revealed that in the current fiscal, state government is under debt of Rs 1.38 thousand crore, but there is hidden debt of more than Rs 85,000 crore. Markfed, PUNSUP, Punjab Agro and other boards & Corporations have given guarantee for the loans taken from different financial institutions. To sum up there is more than 2.25 lakh crores of debt on Punjab.Condemning the illegal arrests of Sant Samaj leaders, State Convenor of AAP, Sucha Singh Chhotepur termed it as violation of human rights. AAP respects leaders of Sant Samaj leaders and moreover it is fundamental right of every citizen to raise their voice in democracy, Chhotepur said adding that Badals are behaving like “Dictators” to snub the democratic voice of People.On the issue of publication of a Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s photo on the cover page of a Magazine, Chhotepur said Kejriwal has already expressed his anguish over the issue and even wrote a letter for initiating legal action against those responsible for publication of this photo.