The Punjab Congress has launched a scathing attack against Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal over his blatant misuse of official machinery in the wake of his directive to heads of 16 departments to attend some camps in Raikot, where his son is contesting on SAD ticket.In a letter to the HODs, the Speaker has listed out a detailed schedule for the camps to be conducted from November 28, with residents of 77 villages scheduled to attend. Media reports on Saturday suggested the directive of the Speaker had also been communicated to the CMD, PSPCL, DIG (Ludhiana Range), and the Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board.Reacting to the reports, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) general secretary Captain Sandeep Sandhu said such a directive was clearly in violation of ethics.
The Speaker’s adamant stand that he could write to officers on such issues and it did not amount to any violation of rules clearly indicates that misuse of official machinery, which is rampant under Badal rule, is not considered unethical in the Akali regime, said the PPCC general secretary.It is not for the Speaker to issue such directives, and more so when his son is contesting from Raikot, which definitely puts a question mark on his intentions, said Captain Sandhu, demanding action against him.Expressing concern at the brazen misuse of official machinery by the Akali leadership and officials, the Punjab Congress has reiterated its demand for immediate imposition of the code of conduct by the Election Commission to prevent further vitiation of the state’s atmosphere ahead of the Assembly polls.