BJP indulging in Corporate Governance: Manpreet

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 23

Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Manpreet Badal today said the BJP was indulging in divisive communal politics and rather than coming to the rescue of the distressed farmers they are engaged in “Corporate Governance.”

“The BJP might be gloating in the victories it registered in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand but eventually people of India have to decide whether they want this kind of politics or what is in the larger interest of India,” he remarked while addressing a press conference here at the Congress Office today.

He said such divisive politics is not in the interest of the nation and it is only a matter of time when people will see through their agenda-based politics.

Reflecting on the distress of the farmers and the resultant 35 suicides by them daily, he said the BJP-led NDA regime must implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee report. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi must apologise to the nation for not honouring the promise he made to the nation of waiving the farmers debts,” he demanded.

Badal accused the Centre of appeasing their select cronies who were being given special favours while the distressed farmers have been left in the lurch. They were left with no option but to end their lives. “The number of farmers, who committed suicide, is on the rise from 12,630 in 2014 to 14,000 in 2016 while loans of business friends, amounting to Rs 1,54,000 crore, written off by the Centre,” he rued.

He lamented that while 62 per cent of Indian’s population of farmers was being denied succor, the BJP’s crony friends are prospering through the windfall profit from the premium under the PM Fasal Bima Yojna.

BBMB projects: ‘Wouldn’t deny HP its claim’

Badal said Punjab would not deny Himachal it’s just and legitimate claim on arrears as per 7.19 per cent share in all Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects.

“Though the matter is sub judice as friendly neighbours we must try to look for political solution as such trivial issues can be sorted out through dialogue,” he replied when asked if Punjab would give Himachal its arrears amounting to Rs 4,200 crores. The matter is pending before the Supreme Court but Himachal is yet to get the arrears.

However, despite being the Finance Minister Badal declined to give an assurance that Punjab will give Himachal its due. “All such issues concerning the states are discussed threadbare at the Inter-State Council meetings and this too will get sorted out,” he assured.