12 MLAs seek CBI probe against Chief Secretary

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13

Amid the clamour for the ouster of Chief Secretary (CS) Karan Avtar Singh, the Punjab Government today announced amendments to the Excise Policy 2020-21 and constituted a three-member committee of senior officers to assess the loss owing to the closure of liquor vends post lockdown.

• Also read: Contractors firm on demands as Capt okays excise policy
• It was illegal sale of liquor that triggered face-off

Complicating matters further for Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, at least 12 MLAs — among them Raja Warring, Raj Kumar Verka, Fateh Jung Bajwa, Kulbir Zira, Barindermeet Singh Pahra and Sangat Singh Gilzian — today took to Twitter, demanding a CBI probe against the Chief Secretary over “conflict of interest” and the revenue loss incurred by the Excise Department in the past three years.

Also read: It was illegal sale of liquor that triggered face-off

Alarmed, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) swung into action. The Chief Minister, sources said, called up the MLAs as well as minister Sukhjinder Randhawa, urging them not to blow up the issue given the fact that the Chief Secretary was due for retirement in August.

He is learnt to have also called up Cabinet Minister Charanjit Channi to placate him after a minister reportedly threatened Channi to reopen a case against him involving a woman officer. Some Dalit MLAs have reportedly expressed solidarity with Channi.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Jakhar said that the Chief Secretary’s continuing in office would reflect poorly on the party as well as the government. Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa called for an inquiry into the ‘conflict of interest’ charge by a central investigating agency. “If there is no probe, Punjabis will continue to question the government on corruption,” he stressed.