Punjab: AAP legislators question own party govt over public issues

When it comes to ensuring better governance, it seems the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs do not hesitate from taking on their own ministers.

This was evident in the question hour today, when ruling party MLAs put their ministers on the stand.

From seeking details of why buses were not plying on certain routes, names of children not being included in smart ration cards, ownership rights to occupants of plots within “lal dora” and better critical care centres — AAP legislators sought time-bound deliverance of their demands.

Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar complained to Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan that he gave preference to the Opposition MLAs to speak, but often ignored his own party MLAs. He made this statement when he got up to reply to a question by MLA Dr Ishank Chabbewal about buses plying on certain routes.

As soon as the Speaker addressed him, while lauding his “good looks”, Bhullar refused to be cowed down saying that every time he wants to speak, “… you try and silence me by commenting on my looks. But believe me, wives of all male MLAs and husbands of all female legislators are hooked on to the TV to see their performance in the House,” he said.

Dera Bassi MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa went a step ahead to say that PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO had “naraazgi” because of which the works he recommended for his segment — construction of a causeway — were not being carried out.

BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma and AAP MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna also raised the issue of plying old public buses in their segments.

Sardulgarh MLA Gurdeep Singh Banawali and Nakodar MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann raised the issue of names not being included in smart ration cards. Food and Supply Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said the Targeted Public Distribution System Control Order, 2015, had sealed the number of beneficiaries at 51 per cent of the population.

Other issues raised by the MLAs included construction of railway under bridges, widening of roads, finding solution for dried trees on the roadsides etc.