Oppn seeks action against minister

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 25

The Opposition parties in Punjab today demanded the sacking of Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh in response to The Tribune report on how sand mining contracts of at least four sites during the recent e-auction were bagged by employees of the minister’s company.

Related stories: 

• Punjab minister Rana Gurjit's cook is Rs 26-cr sand mine owner
• Cook as mine owner: Parties seek Punjab minister’s dismissal
  
• Oppn urges ED to probe ‘benami’ transactions

While Leader of Opposition HS Phoolka asked CM Capt Amarinder Singh to take action against ministers “indulging in wrong practices and acquiring benami contracts”, AAP MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira said if no action was taken, a dharna would be organised in front of the residence of either the CM or Rana Gurjit. 

He said the Punjab Government should make public the source of income of the minister’s cook, who had bagged a Rs 26-crore contract.

Khaira said AAP will also file a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate and urge it to keep tabs on the “mafia that has been looting the natural resources”. He also called upon the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognisance.

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The Akali Dal sought action against the minister under the Income Tax Act and a probe by the Enforcement Directorate.

Meanwhile, High Court advocate HC Arora has written to the Enforcement Directorate seeking a probe against all four who bagged the mining contracts. He demanded that they be investigated under The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016. In a letter to Joint Director (Administration), ED, Arora said the news report indicates investment of huge benami amounts, and/or hawala money for getting sand and gravel contracts.

He said, “It does not need any argument that the money invested is benami property. It may involve hawala transactions also. This is a serious matter which requires an ED probe.”