I’m not shielding Rana Gurjit: CM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 17

Denying the Opposition’s allegation that he was shielding Power and Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit in the sand mining case, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said today that the Justice Narang Commission had already cleared the minister of corruption charges.

The Chief Minister, who was at Punjab Bhavan to distribute cheques for Rs58 crore among 37 urban local bodies, said his government would do everything possible to provide relief to the people who had suffered over the past 10 years due to the ill-conceived policies of the previous government.

Capt Amarinder released Rs211 crore for development works. Describing the money as a “social cheque”, he directed urban local bodies to ensure that it is spent in a transparent manner.

The CM said the government was arranging a loan of Rs1,540 crore for achieving 100 per cent coverage of the water supply and sewerage system in the areas under urban local bodies. The amount was expected to be released soon, he said.