Kejriwal praises Navjot Sidhu, says he’s being suppressed

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 23

On Day 2 of his Punjab visit, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal appreciated PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu for countering Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s claim of ending sand mafia.

PCC chief corrected CM on sand prices

I praise Sidhu for his courage.... He corrected CM Channi by telling him sand was still being sold at Rs20 per cubic feet, not Rs5. — Arvind Kejriwal, AAp National Convener

He said Sidhu rightly pointed out that sand continued to be sold at Rs 20 per cubic feet, instead of Rs 5, as announced by the state government. “He always raises issues in public interest, but faces pressure from his own party,” he said.

Kejriwal said before every election, it was claimed that the state’s coffers had run dry. “After governing the state for five years, leaders of the ruling dispensation are once again making the same claim. If we come to power, we will probe the matter and set the house in order,” he said.

The AAP chief alleged CM Channi was often seen with people involved in the sand and transport mafia. “The state’s financial problem will be resolved if he manages his Cabinet,” he said. On freebies being promised by the AAP, he said: “All Punjab ministers are getting 3,000 units of free electricity. If we are offering 300 units to the common man, what’s wrong in it?”

The Delhi CM called for reforms in education and detailed eight promises, including ending outsourcing and contract system of hiring staff, new transfer policy as per teachers’ convenience, no non-teaching jobs for them and timely recruitment and promotion.

During a meeting with traders, businessmen and industrialists as part of AAP’s ‘Kejriwal di Galbaat’ programme, Kejriwal later announced seven guarantees for trade, commerce and industrial development.

These included setting up of a commission, abolishing ‘inspector raj’, fixing VAT refunds, ensuring power supply, setting up of Punjab Bazaar portal, improving law and order and construction and development of focal points.

He said: “Punjab’s land has great potential to revolutionise. But due to the wrong policies of the Congress and SAD, youth are going abroad. Every trader, entrepreneur, farmer, labourer, woman and student must bring about a revolution by opting for change.”

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