Need to de-politicise police, says Manpreet

Wednesday, 17/04/2013

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130417/punjab.htm#7

Jalandhar : People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Badal today presented a 10-point action plan for the “betterment” of Punjab. Manpreet claimed though there were several other issues too, the 10 selected by his party at yesterday’s brainstorming session were of utmost importance and needed immediate redressal.

At the top, he said, was the deteriorating law and order situation. To tackle this, he claimed, there was a need to de-politicise the Punjab Police.

Addressing the PPP conclave on its concluding day here, Manpreet alleged that the law and order situation in the state had worsened under the SAD-BJP regime.

“The coalition is using the police as a tool to settle scores with rival political parties. The chain of command in the police needs to be re-established. It is not that the Punjab Police lacks honest officers, but the Akali government is not allowing the dedicated policemen to deliver,” he said.

Apart from law and order, the other “problems” on the PPP’s action plan are: poor fiscal health, decline in education standards, lack of health facilities, growing debt trap in the farm sector, rampant corruption, unemployment, ever-rising drug menace, industrial issues and poverty among the marginalised sections of the society.

“Unfortunately, successive governments have chosen to ignore these crucial issues, which can ensure all-round development. We have identified the top ten concerns that face our state and have suggested some remedial action as well,” he said.

Hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Manpreet said, “The people of Punjab are being looted by the present regime.”

The PPP chief also said there was a need to put an end to the “red beacon” and gunmen culture, “promoted by our politicians”. He demanded the posts of chief parliamentary secretaries and chairmen of various government boards and corporations be abolished to do away with “wasteful” expenditure.

In the 30 months of the PPP’s existence, he said, the party leaders had travelled across the length and breadth of Punjab several times to understand the problems facing the common man.

“Power in Punjab is the costliest across the country. Likewise, VAT on petrol is the highest here. There are several other taxes, which do not exist in other states. As such, the common man is reeling under inflation and struggling to earn two square meals a day. It is shameful that those at the helm of affairs are so insensitive that they went for holidaying to Goa in the name of brainstorming,” he said.

PPP Conclave: 10-point action plan for Punjab’s progress

• Law and order: To tackle crime, there is need to de-politicise the police immediately. Transfers, promotions and appointments should be outside the purview of the political class. There has to be a 24x7 hotline for victims of crime against women
  
• Corruption: A state-level Lokpal should be appointed. To ensure impartiality, he should not belong to any northern state. Assets of all IAS, IPS, IRS and PCS officers currently employed in Punjab should be tabled in the Vidhan Sabha every year
  
• Finances: Punjab must start immediate negotiations with the Centre for debt waiver
  
• Health: An insurance cover of Rs 3 lakh for all families with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh should be made available. A new cardiology centre in Patiala, orthopaedic hospital in Amritsar, neuro science medical research centre-cum-hospital in Jalandhar and a ENT hospital in Moga should be opened
  
• Unemployment: Skill development centres need to be set up across the state
  
• Agriculture: To facilitate crop diversification, the government needs to invest in the food processing sector
  
• Industry: The government must refrain from needless “interference” in industrial projects, especially those that are providing large-scale employment. An NRI industry investment scheme should be started
  
• Education: An equipped primary school at a distance of every 2 kms and a secondary school at every 3 kms should be established
  
• Drug menace: Rehabilitation centres must come up in every tehsil. Besides, ‘Confiscation of Drug Dealers’ Property Act’ needs to be introduced
  
• Marginalised sections: A free housing scheme should be introduced for the under-privileged in rural and urban areas