Punish those indicted in justice Narang report, says Khaira

: Punjab leader of opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Tuesday wrote to chief secretary Karan Avtar Singh, who is heading the panel studying the report of justice Narang on the alleged involvement of state power and irrigation minister Rana Gurjit Singh in sand mine auctions held in May.

Accusing the minister of "benami" role, Khaira sought action against the minister, his "frontmen" and officers involved in the mining scandal.

While reteriating that he firmly believes that the said commission was formed under a "well planned conspiracy and a premeditated manner to give a clean chit" to the minister, Khaira did give it some credit for unravelling a part of the truth.

"The half-baked inquiry has virtually indicted the frontmen of the minister and officers of the mining department. On page 77 of the report, Justice Narang has questioned the allotment of two mines as blatant violations of conditions and observed that the bids given by H1 bidders for Saidpur Khurd and Mehadipur -Amit Bahadur and Kulwinderpal Singh -- are not sustainable because they had not deposited any amount, including the processing fees and the earnest money through their bank accounts as was mandatory. They had been put up as a frontmen by Gurjit's associates, Sanjit Randhawa and Sahil Singla."

Khaira alleged the mining department could not have issued certificate of appproval nor allowed them to participate in the auction.

Demanding a CBI probe into "benami" role of Rana Gurjit, the AAP leader said, "The minister also called Amit Dakha, director, mines, Punjab. Only a proper police investigation can bring out the contents of the call. If the government fails to do so, I will be left with no option but to move the high court," he added.