Khaira to Captain: Cut unproductive expense on security

UNPRODUCTIVE EXPENDITURE IS INCURRED ON VEHICLES, PARAPHERNALIA, HUGE SECURITY AND UNLIMITED FUEL PROVIDED TO POLITICAL OUTFIT HEADS, HE SAYS

: In an open letter to Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday, leader of opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has sought a cut in security of unwanted people and deployment of these men at police stations.

“Unproductive expenditure is incurred on vehicles, huge security paraphernalia and unlimited fuel provided to heads of political outfits, retired police officers and religious preachers by the government,” his letter said.

“The expenditure is incurred at a time when state exchequer is wrecked and bearing a burden of ₹2.5 lakh crore. As per reports, the expenditure on fuel and salaries of the drivers alone costs the state ₹12 crore annually, the total estimated cost of providing the said facility is costing public exchequer more than ₹100 crore every year,” Khaira added.

Khaira said as per reports, former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has nine cars in his security including costly SUVs like Toyota Land Cruisers and former deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal has seven cars fleet in his security, while Bikram Singh Majithia has four. They have no limit on the consumption of petrol and diesel. Parkash Singh Badal is not very mobile after his party’s defeat in 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections.

“There are nearly two dozen Hindu outfits known as Shiv Sena which have been given heavy security. Similarly, Sikh high priests including the jathedar of Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo and the SGPC president have also been provided security,” he said, also calling for curtailment of security of self-styled president of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front Maninderjit Singh Bitta and his wife.