Jakhar toes govt line

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Jakhar today chose to deflect criticism on sand mine contracts being won by front men of minister Rana Gurjit Singh by hailing the government for increasing its revenue from such auctions.

He said, “What has been achieved is not being discussed. One should not underplay the issue of transparency in the auctions.”

Refusing to comment on the Rana Gurjit case while interacting with DCC chiefs here today, he said the Chief Minister was already looking into the matter.

Officer on the job?

Amid pressure from within the Congress and the Opposition, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is learnt to have directed a senior government functionary to probe the matter.

The government is yet to issue a statement on the controversy. Sources said the government wanted to be on a firm footing in terms of facts ahead of the coming Budget session.