Return donations by Chinese firms to PM-Cares Fund: Amarinder to Centre
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday asked the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre to return the donations received from Chinese firms.
Amarinder said he had received information that PM-CARES Fund got donations from some Chinese companies amid the ongoing India-China border standoff. “There is a confrontation between the two countries. If any money has been received from Chinese firms, it should be sent back. I don’t think we can afford to take Chinese money when our boys are getting killed,” he said at a press conference, naming some companies and their contributions.
The Punjab CM’s statement came a day after the Congress, locked in a war of words with the BJP over donations from China, claimed that Chinese firms were contributing to PM-CARES Fund. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese army in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley two weeks ago.
Amarinder further said that the Centre should return whatever donations it had received from Chinese companies at this time. “India does not need Chinese
money. We can manage without it,” he said.
‘NOBODY WANTS KHALISTAN’
Asked to comment on Akal Takh jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s recent statement that all Sikhs want Khalistan and they will accept it if it is granted, the CM said neither he (Amarinder), nor others wanted Khalistan. “It is people like (Sikhs for Justice’s legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh) Pannu who float these things. This is unfortunate,” he said.
ON SIDHU’S CRITICISM OF HIS GOVT
On Congress MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu’s criticism of his governments (2002-07 and 2017 to present) at an online interaction with NRIs, Amarinder first refused to comment, but then said that Punjab’s economy had dwindled over a period of time, starting during the terrorism period.
ON CABINET RESHUFFLE
Asked about speculation regarding a cabinet reshuffle and Sidhu’s induction into the state cabinet, Capt said he had learnt about it only from newspapers and had no information.
“These are very critical times. Balbir Sidhu, OP Soni and other ministers are doing a good job,” he said, ruling out a cabinet rejig in the near future.
On the former minister’s role in the 2022 assembly elections, he said the party high command would decide.
ON BAJWA AND DULLO
As for Rajya Sabha MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo’s digs at the state government, the CM said they should do their work.
“We know how to manage our government. We don’t need Bajwa’s advice. I do not know where his letters go. I have not read any,” he said.
In response to a query on the party’s election promise of free smartphones, the chief minister said the government had placed an order for 1 lakh phones with a private firm, out of which 50,000 were already ready and the remaining 50,000 would become available next month.
THE CM SAYS SIKHS LIVING IN THE COUNTRY ARE LEADING PROSPEROUS LIVES, WHY WOULD THEY WANT A KHALISTAN?
ON VINI MAHAJAN
Amarinder continuity and competence were the guiding factors in the appointment of the new chief secretary.
The government did not “pass over” (supersede) anyone and looked at continuity while naming Vini Mahajan, a 1997-batch IAS officer, as the chief secretary. “I wanted continuity. I do not go by religion or caste,” he said before going into details.
The chief minister said all other senior officers would retire before the 2022 (the term of the present govt ends in March 2022).
“KBS Sidhu is the seniorost in the state, but will retire in June 2021. Arun Goel and C Roul are on central deputation. Kalpana Mittal Barua and Satish Chandra are also retiring in a few months,” he said.