Eye on polls, Amarinder backs protesting teachers

Wednesday, 30/12/2015

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SAS NAGAR: With an eye on the assembly elections in 2017, newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Captain Amarinder Singh, in a manner quite atypical of him, on Tuesday visited the protesting Punjab Sikhya Providers’ Union members who have been sitting on a hunger strike for the last 46 days outside the education department’s office here.

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh interacting with protesting members of the Sikhya Providers’ Union in SAS Nagar on Tuesday.

The Congress leader assured the protesting teachers of regularising their jobs on a priority basis if voted to power.

Known for staying away from dharnas, Amarinder surprised all with the visit at Phase 8 here. He slammed the Shiromani Akali dal- Bharatiya Janata (SAD-BJP) government for “inaction on the isue”.

“I assure you that the Congress will safeguard your (teachers’) interests. It is unfortunate that you had to resort to protest,” said the state Congress president, striking a chord with the teachers who have been demanding regularisation of their jobs for 11 years.

Without naming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Amarinder cautioned people to “avoid experimenting during the upcoming elections”.

“Punjab has already been destroyed when people experimented by voting the Akalis to power for 10 years. Now, do not waste another five years experimenting on someone who does not have experience of governance,” he said.

“The Badals have failed to deliver the promises they made, forcing you to sit on dharnas time and again,” said Captain.

GIVES MID-DAY MEAL WORKERS’ STIR A MISS
Amarinder did not meet midday meal workers and ‘sanjha morcha’ teachers who too were protesting alongside the sikhya providers.

He, however, met protesting employees of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), who are demanding pension and other facilities, and assured them that their demands will be met once the Congress forms government in the state.

‘CONG TO PROBE PINKY’S REVELATIONS’
Amarinder said after coming to power the Congress government will probe revelations made by dismissed cop Gurmeet Singh Pinky about killing of youths in fake encounters during terrorism days. “What Pinky has revealed appears to be just a tip of the iceberg and the Congress government will find out the entire truth,” Amarinder said.