Probe ordered into ‘encroachment’ by Badal relative
CHANDIGARH: Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a vigilance inquiry into the encroachment of water works land in Abohar allegedly by a relative of former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and five others.
The CM announced the decision after Congress MLA Sukhjinder Randhawa raised the issue of illegal encroachment on government land during the Question Hour in the Punjab assembly on Thursday.
Responding, minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said the registries were in the names of Paramjit Singh, alias Lali Badal (uncle of former deputy CM Sukhbir Badal), Gurdit Singh, Mahinder Pratap, Ram Dayal, Varinder Pal Singh and Ashok Kumar.
“In 1961, 9.25 acres of land was acquired to increase capacity of the waterworks, built in 1931, at Abohar, giving adequate compensation,” he said. He said after the SAD-BJP government was formed in 2007, some SAD leaders allegedly tampered with the record and got some portion registered in their names. “The then deputy commissioner ordered the demarcation to facilitate the illegal encroachment of this land worth crores,” he added. Sidhu agreed with the MLA’s demand and requested the CM for a probe. Amarinder immediately announced it.
The CM also promised to get probed the alleged diversion of funds received for the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students.
Also, the government has decided to set up a separate directorate of fire services for better service in urban areas. Sidhu made the announcement while replying to a query by AAP MLA Aman Arora. The government also informed that 63 cases were registered against 19 chit fund companies from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2017. Punishment has been given in two cases.