More Congress leaders seek probe into revenue losses in Punjab Excise Department

Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 13

Amid attempts of rapprochement between the warring ministers and Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, more Congress leaders on Wednesday joined the chorus demanding Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to probe the revenue losses in the Excise Department in the last three years.

In a tweet, Punjab cabinet minister Sukhjinder Randhawa demanded an enquiry into the revenue losses in the excise department.

I agree with @RajaBrar_INC and appeal honourable Chief Minister Punjab @capt_amarinder to initiate enquiry So that someone has to be held responsible for the revenue loss for last 3 yrs of Excise department https://t.co/NhHMum7laO

— Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa (@Sukhjinder_INC) May 13, 2020

Randhawa, who is the Minister of Jail and Department Of Cooperation in the Punjab government, said he agreed with Gidderbaha MLA Raja Warring, who had asked for an enquiry into Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh—who had the charge of the Excise and Taxation department untill recently. Warring had also said that the Excise Department had suffered a revenue loss of over Rs 600 crore in recent years.

Randhawa is among the ministers who had recently staged a walkout against the Chief Secretary for his alleged misbehaviour while discussing the excise policy. Amritsar MLA Raj Kumar Verka and Urmir MLA Sangat Singh Gilzian, both Cabinet Ministers, have also demanded a probe.

Also read: Punjab chief secy Karan Avtar divested of excise and taxation dept charge

Dear @capt_amarinder ji,

It is my humble request sir, to kindly also initiate enquiry against Chief Secretary Shri Karan Avtar Singh on revenue loss of over Rs600Cr

I request you to kindly remove him from his post of Chief Secretary so that he is unable to influence the enquiry

— Amarinder Singh Raja (@RajaBrar_INC) May 13, 2020

The ministers, along with the Warring, have opened a front against the Chief Secretary over the alleged conflict of interest as his son allegedly has a stake in the liquor business.

The portfolio of the Excise and Taxation Department has been with the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh ever since the formation of the Congress Government.

The ministers were upset over the continuation of the Chief Secretary despite them telling the chief minister that they would not attend any meeting in which he was present.

Earlier, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Partap Bajwa had demanded a probe into the revenue losses of the excise department. Bajwa had also stated the department came directly under the Punjab Chief Minister.

Also read: Amarinder approves Punjab Excise Policy; contractors say ready to open liquor vends from today

As the excise dept comes under your purview, a fair inquest must be initiated. We promised clean and transparent governance. I urge you to carry on the promises we made as a party to the people of Punjab ensuring the same @capt_amarinder 7/7

— Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) May 12, 2020

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