ASSERTS PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO APPROACH SC OVER OBSTINACY OF GOVERNOR REGARDING PENDING BILLS
STATE GOVERNMENT NOT TO PRESENT ANY BILL TILL SECURING JUSTICE FROM APEX COURT
VIDHAN SABHA PROROGUED TILL FURTHER ORDERS
Chandigarh, October 20
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday said that the state government will approach the Supreme Court to get the pending bills cleared by the obstinate Governor of the state.
The Chief Minister, while participating in debate on the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, said that it is unfortunate that a selected Governor is resorting to bullying tactics to prevent a democratically elected Government from taking pro-people decisions. He said that this highhandedness of the Governor will not stand in legal scrutiny and will be out rightly set aside by the Apex court. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Governor is taking the Punjabis for granted and will be taught a befitting lesson for his arrogant attitude.
The Chief Minister said that till this matter is not resolved by the Supreme Court, the state government will not present any bill in the assembly. He categorically asked the Governor to stop threatening the Punjabis with his attitude. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is strange that the people of the state have elected them but the selected Governor is creating hindrances in the smooth functioning of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that the Governor is not allowing the state government to work for the well being of the people. He said that the state government is not empowered to hold debates for welfare motives of people and pro-people bills are stalled and development of the state is jeopardized. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this dictatorial attitude of the Governor will not be tolerated and now justice will be sought from the Apex court.
The Chief Minister said that the state government had proposed to introduce three financial bills for enhancing the revenue of Punjab to boost development of the state. However, he said that instead of giving consent to these bills the Governor of Punjab had backstabbed Punjabis by squatting over them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ironically the Governor is questioning the validity of the session whereas the state government is not allowed to take any decision for the well being of people.
The Chief Minister said that the Governor is questioning the rationale behind power subsidy to people and other welfare initiatives. He said that the state government has inherited debt from the previous governments as two persons had ruled the state from 1997-2022. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will remove the debt but like counterparts in Kerala, Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the Punjab governor should also not create obstacles in the working of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that debt gets accumulated with wrong deeds of the people in power adding that due to hostile attitude of the Governor for not allowing the state to hold budget sessions, Rs 25 lakh of taxpayers money was also spent in getting relief from Apex court. He said that had the Governor being not so adamant this amount could have been saved thereby preventing loss to the state exchequer. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that if the state government will do anything wrong then the people of the state will punish them so the Governor should not peep into the working of the state government.
The Chief Minister also presented a letter written by the then Parliamentary Affairs Brahm Mahindra at the floor of state assembly on November 23, 2019 to convene the ninth session of 15th Vidhan Sabha on same lines. He said that this is not for the first time that such session has been called but the Governor is creating undue hindrance in that. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will not be tolerated and we will fight for getting the legitimate right of the state and its people.
The Chief Minister congratulated the players who were part of the Asian games contingent of the country for bringing medals in the state. He said that the Punjab government has laid major thrust on the promotion of games in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the result of this is that Punjabis have bagged 19 medals in the recently concluded Asian games, which is the highest tally of states in Asiad, since its inception.
The Chief Minister said that the Petrol diesel cess worth Rs 170 crore was pending with the Union government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had flagged the issue with the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday adding that he had sought Rs 250 crore from him. He said that the Union Minister had agreed to give the state Rs 80 crore in advance which will be spent judiciously for the well being and development of the state.
The Chief Minister also announced that in order to facilitate the pilgrims and tourists visiting Amritsar, Sky Transport service will be launched in the holy city. He said that cable cars with capacity of 30 passengers each will be started to connect the place of eminence in the city. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this transport service will also connect the Wagah border.
The Chief Minister said that the month of December during which the entire family of Guru Gobind Singh ji was martyred is the month of mourning for the entire humanity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will not hold any function of joy and happiness from December 20-30. He said that this will be a humble tribute by the state government to the supreme sacrifice made by the family of Dashmesh Pitaah.
