Badal Outlines Austerity Steps

CHANDIGARH, June 23 (Samachar)

The new Ministers of Punjab will not attend public parties. Announcing this, the Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal told newsmen here today that no welcome arches would be allowed to be put up during Ministers' visits to cities.

He said directives would be issued to the officials that private arrangements are not made for Ministers in Government Rest-Houses.

Part VI Election series :  Punjab Assembly Elections — 1977

• Anti-Emergency wave drowns Congress
• Badal Sworn In As Chief Minister
• 15 Punjab Ministers Sworn In
• PLUMS OF OFFICE-Editorial on June 28, 1977
• Haryana, Punjab to go to polls on June 12
• Zail Singh not to contest
• Mrs. Gandhi Not to Go Campaigning
• Ignoring Of Women In Punjab List Regrettable -CHANDRA SHEKHAR
• Punjab To Have Over 9,200 Polling Stations
• Akali Bid to win over Independents
• Results on June 14
• Polling In Low Key In Punjab
• Punjab goes to poll today
• Badal Outlines Austerity Steps
• Akalis On Verge Of Absolute Majority

The Chief Minister pointed out that during the Congress regime officials were made to look after the stay of the ministers in the Rest-Houses and eventually officials had to extract money  from the common man for the lavish stay of the Ministers. In one case, the bill of soft drinks served during the one visit of a Congress Minister in the Rest House was found to be as high as Rs. 4000.

He said a detailed code of conduct was being worked out to set the norms for public conduct of Ministers and officials.

Mr. Badal said his Government would ensure that the administration was not top-heavy and did not become a burden on the people of the State.

He said that his Cabinet colleagues would submit details of their assets to him within two months. As for himself he said he would submit the details of his assets and property either to the Prime Minister or to the Governor.