Not invited to I-Day function, ex-minister cries foul

Tribune News Service

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Phagwara, August 17

Miffed over being ignored for the Independence Day celebrations in Phagwara, former minister and chairman of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Joginder Singh Mann urged CM Captain Amarinder Singh to reign in on the mindless bureaucracy by ensuring exemplary action.

In a letter to the CM, Mann bemoaned that when the entire country and Indian diaspora was celebrating the Independence Day, the sheer irresponsible and callous attitude of Phagwara administration spoiled the entire festivity of the pious occasion. He said in a complete disrespect to representatives of public, the Phagwara administration did not extend invitation to a majority of public representatives and Congress leaders, including him, for the event to mark celebrations. Mann said this was totally unwarranted and undesirable as the ‘Congress workers have been putting in their sweat and toil to bring back the Congress in power’.

Mann said: “I have been a member of Punjab Cabinet, three-time MLA from Phagwara and currently chairman of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation. I have been receiving invitation from Governor house, district administration and others, but it was surprising that the Phagwara administration ignored me along with other Congress workers that, too, when our party is in power. The Phagwara administration has willfully neglected us for the celebrations and it deserves exemplary punishment so that it acts as a deterrent for others in future.”

Mann added, “With around one year left for polling in the state, how does the party expect to comeback if the officers will behave in such a dictatorial manner? In my entire political career spanning over more than four decades I haven’t seen such an autocrat working of the bureaucracy and as a staunch Congressmen, it was totally intolerable for me.” He expressed hope that the Chief Minister and PPCC President will uphold the respect and integrity of the public representatives by ensuring strict action against the laxity on part of the officers.