Capt has govt failed to check mafia, says party MP Dullo

RUPNAGAR: Firing a salvo at chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Dullo said the government has failed to check mafia in the state.

Dullo, a known Amarinder baiter, said: “Mining, transport, liquor and mafia was active and looting the state exchequer,” he said while addressing a press conference here on Thursday. “Only the people in the government have changed, but the old system, prevalent during the SAD-BJP regime, still continues,” he said.

He said Amarinder must fulfil its pre-poll promises, otherwise it will hit the image of his government.

Dullo said that there was nexus between politicians, bureaucracy and police in illegal activities, particularly illegal mining, in the state and the government has failed to break this nexus.

“Instead of forming a cabinet sub-committee on illegal mining, the government should have ordered a crackdown on the mafia,” he said. Though the government has achieved some success in checking the drug trade, the crackdown is confined to small peddlers. Big fish are still out of police reach, said Dullo.

The veteran Congress leader said there was a need to amend the farm debt waiver policy. Those cultivating land, either on contract or lease, should also be given the benefit of loan waiver, he added.