Punjab ministers walk out of meeting on liquor policy as Chief Secy's remarks don’t go down well with FM

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9

In an unprecedented development on Saturday, Punjab cabinet ministers walked out of a pre-cabinet meeting on liquor policy called at Punjab Bhavan here, following an alleged argument between Technical Education Minister Charanjit Channi and Punjab Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh.

Objecting to the alleged remarks by the Chief Secretary, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal was the first to walk out of the meeting.

The meeting was called to discuss the new liquor policy, before it was to be approved in the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Saturday evening. 

Also read: Controversy arises as Punjab buses bound for Nanded had picked non-pilgrims on the way

Besides the ministers, the meeting was attended by Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Suresh Kumar, and Principal Secretary to the CM, Tejvir Singh.

Also read: Reconsider home delivery of liquor, wives of Cong leaders urge Punjab CM

The situation became tense when during the course of discussion, the Chief Secretary made observations about the non-viability of certain suggestions put forth by the ministers. Certain remarks reportedly made by the Chief Secretary were objected to by the Finance Minister, who stood up and left the meeting.

Later, Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa also reportedly made certain observations against the functioning of the Excise Department.

Though the senior officials tried to pacify the ministers, they had started leaving the venue. The meeting was to be followed by lunch before the Cabinet meeting. But after the fiasco, the Cabinet meeting was postponed till Monday.

The ministers suggested a government department taking control of the unsold vends and certain other changes in the excise policy.

The others ministers present at the meeting were Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Balbir Sidhu, Vijay Inder Singla, OP Soni, Brahm Mohindra and Aruna Chaudhary.

No officials of the ministers present at the meeting responded to calls.

Before leaving, the ministers reportedly expressed anguish over thedelay in finalising the excise policy and bureaucracy calling the shots in decision-making in the government.

Meanwhile, Congress’ Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said the ministers’ reaction was similar to a judge walking out of a court after an argument with an advocate.

He attacked the ministers, saying they should also resign for “their incompetent behavior”.

“During the coronavirus pandemic, the coordination between the ministers and bureaucrats should be strong. The ministers walking out of the pre-cabinet meeting should resign for their incompetent behavior as many others capable of handling work pressure are ready to replace them,” the Ludhiana MP tweeted.

Later, a government release said the Cabinet meeting will take place on Monday.

The statement said the ministers of the state government met officials of the Department of Excise and Taxation to deliberate upon suggested changes in the excise policy for 2020-21.

“The discussions were inconclusive. Accordingly, the chief minister asked them to complete their deliberations over the weekend and convey their views in the meeting of the Council of Ministers to be held now on Monday,” said the statement.

Ever since the Covid-19 lockdown began, some of the ministers have been reported to be sulking over being ignored in decision-making and the bureaucrats running the show.

Due to the social distancing, the ministers have not been able to meet Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and have been interacting through video-conferencing, during cabinet meetings.

Liquor vends in Punjab to remain closed as meeting on excise policy remains inconclusive

Chandigarh: Liquor vends in Punjab will remain closed for the time being as the meeting between the government and the excise officials to deliberate upon the suggested changes in the Excise Policy on Saturday remained inconclusive.

The Excise Policy, 2020-21, is now to come up before the Council of Ministers on Monday.

The ministers met the officials of the Department of Excise and Taxation on Saturday to deliberate upon the suggested changes in the Excise Policy.

The discussions were inconclusive, so the Chief Minister has asked them to complete their deliberations over the weekend and convey their views at the meeting of the Council of Ministers to be held now on Monday. TNS