Centre’s Rs 1,000 cr for flood prevention misutilised: Bajwa
Tuesday, 03/09/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130903/punjab.htm#2
PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa is not perturbed over reports of disunity in his party. He feels that the cult of personality in politics has ended and only those leaders can ensure a party’s victory who are connected to the masses.
Talking to The Tribune during his visit to flood-hit areas, Bajwa claimed the Congress would win the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. On reported differences with former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Bajwa said the party was united.
The PPCC chief first visited areas under the Lambi assembly constituency. He alleged: “Sangat Darshan programme is a waste. In my constituency, the government deployed a heavy police force which clamped an undeclared curfew. No person with a genuine grievance could meet the CM.” Criticising the Badal government for “mismanagement” on flood protection and prevention, Bajwa said: “The Centre had sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore last year for strengthening canals in Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozepur districts. Where has all the money gone?”
He alleged that the government was giving selective relief, ignoring Congress workers and supporters. He demanded that the government must give a compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre to the affected farmers. Besides, Rs 2 lakh must be given to people whose houses had been damaged, said Bajwa.
During his visit to Muktsar villages, Bajwa alleged the SAD-BJP government failed to properly utilise central funds for strengthening the canals.
“It is surprising that Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon did not visit the flood-affected areas even once. He has no right to hold the post,” he said. He also lashed out at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal saying that drains were overflowing in the district, but the Chief Minister did not take action against any official. Bajwa alleged that Badal was playing politics by holding Sangat Darshan in Qadian.
