Boycott property tax, says Capt
Monday, 28/10/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131028/punjab.htm#7
CBarnala : Former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today gave a call to all Punjabis to “boycott” property tax and the fee being realised by the SAD-BJP Government for regularising unauthorised colonies/plots.
He promised that whenever the Congress returned to power, it would rectify these decisions. He asked the people not to be afraid of the Badal Government as it could not possibly register cases against 2.5 crore people of the state.
The former Chief Minister said the Congress would raise the two issues on the floor of the House.
He claimed that during the earlier Congress regime when he was Chief Minister, about 180 colonies were regularised without money being taken from the people.
He was talking to mediapersons at the residence of Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon here today.
Dhuri legislator Arvind Khanna and Bhadaur MLA Mohammad Sadique met Amarinder Singh at Dhillon’s residence.
Amarinder Singh, accompanied by the Barnala MLA, visited the local grain market and met the farmers who complained about procurement hurdles on account of moisture content and discolouration.
Amarinder Singh said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should meet the Prime Minister and seek relaxation in specifications for smooth procurement.
On his absence from the Punjab Congress meeting in New Delhi recently, he said he could not attend the meeting because of some personal work. He vehemently denied any rift in the party.
Amarinder Singh alleged that the state government had not allowed the central team, that had toured Punjab’s mandis to assess paddy damage, to meet him. Asked if he would contest the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, as suggested by some senior party leaders, he said he had not contested parliamentary elections after 1980.
He said he favoured a poll alliance with the CPI and the CPM as these parties had a vote bank of 3 per cent-5 per cent in Punjab.
Visits Bathinda dera
Bathinda: Former CM Capt Amarinder Singh paid obeisance at Dera Rumi Wala near Bhucha Mandi here. He had visited the dera before the assembly elections too. The Badals are also frequent visitors to the dera. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal visits the dera regularly. Capt Amarinder Singh, whose ancestral village Mehraj is in Bathinda, said: “I’m told I was born with the blessings of the dera saints.” Amarinder Singh emphasised on collective leadership, saying: "I do not have a problemn with any leader. My focus right now is to motivate the party cardre."
On several Congress men joining the Akalis, he remarked: “Not Congress men but mediapersons are joining the SAD.”
