Debate on CAA pushes PPAs on back-burner
Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News service
Chandigarh, January 17
The extended debate on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAA) pushed the burning issue of controversial power purchase agreements (PPAs) on the back-burner, at least for now.
Several Congress MLAs, who were hoping for Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to announce on the floor of the House a white paper on the PPAs, were left bemused as they had come prepared to take on the Akalis on the burning issue.
“Had the CM spoken on the PPAs, we would have taken the Akalis to task on the basis of documentary evidence. Rearing to take on SAD MLA Bikram Singh Majthia, the MLAs were hoping that the power issue would be taken up after discussion on the CAA,” an MLA said.
It is felt that the white paper, which the CM said would be announced in the monsoon session, would a take few months.
A section of Congress legislators feel that the party leadership avoided the debate on the PPA at this juncture when Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa was demanding that the white paper must also cover three years of the Capt Amarinder’s government.
Akalis draw flak
The SAD today drew flak from the Congress and AAP for supporting the CAA in Parliament. The leaders of the 100-year-old party were seen running for shelter, seeking refuge under old issues such as 1984 riots and Gandhi family.
Lashing out at the Akalis for supporting the legislation in Parliament, Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh said Punjab had just celebrated the 550th Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak, who taught that “koyi Hindu nahin, koyi Musalman nahin, sab rab key bandey”. He asked Akalis if they had forgotten the Guru’s teachings.
