Chandigarh, September 19
Hours before his decision to demit office, outgoing Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, saying “people of Punjab are looking up to the party for its mature and effective public policies, which not only reflect upon good politics, but also address the concerns of the common man that are specific to this border state”.
Govt report card
- Poll promises: 89.2% fulfilled, work on remaining in progress
- PPAs: Review under way; Rs3,709 cr invested in power infra from 2017-21
- Farmers: Rs4,624 cr debt relief to 5.64L farmers; Rs526 cr to 2.68L workers
- Employment: Jobs to 19.29L people; debt relief for 10,151 SC, 4,702 BC beneficiaries
- Sacrilege: Set up judicial panel; report accepted; legal action taken
Captain Amarinder also apprehended instability in Punjab as a result of the political developments in the party state unit. He said the Congress had fulfilled 89.2 per cent of the promises made during the last elections and work was in progress on the remaining commitments.
“It gives me great satisfaction that Punjab is the only state that has decided to provide universal health insurance cover at its own cost in keeping with our manifesto commitment. Nearly 55 lakh families are now eligible for free cashless treatment in the State,” he said.
On the issue of sacrilege and the subsequent police action of 2015, Captain Amarinder said his government had established a judicial commission of enquiry headed by Justice Ranjit Singh (retd), whose report was received on August 16, 2018. The report was accepted and full legal action was taken. He pointed out his government had succeeded in filing 10 challans, while 24 persons had been charge-sheeted, 15 police personnel suspended, and 10 civilians arrested. Criminal proceedings in these cases were under way. With regard to the controversial power purchase agreements signed by the previous government for purchase of expensive electricity to ensure affordable supply to state population, Captain Amarinder said his government had invested Rs 3,709 crore in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure from 2017-21 and released around Rs 11,000 crore per annum to the benefit of 22 lakh SC/BC consumers. Further, the review of the PPAs is currently under way.”
Talking about the farmers, the government had provided a debt relief of Rs 4,624 crore to 5.64 lakh farmers and Rs 526 crore to 2.68 lakh farm workers. The special task force (STF) arrested 62,744 offenders and established 202 outpatient opioid assisted treatment clinics.
Under the “ghar ghar rozgar” scheme, 22 district bureaus of employment and enterprise facilitated jobs to 19.29 lakh people. He said debt relief had been given to 10,151 SC and 4,702 BC beneficiaries under the special scheme. He said Punjab was ranked No. 1 by the HRD Ministry in school education as a result of consistent investments. — TNS
leaderspeak
Must continue to fulfil promises
Congratulations to Charanjit Singh Channi for the new responsibility. We must continue to fulfil the promises made to the people of Punjab. Their trust is of paramount importance. Rahul Gandhi, Congress
Don’t expect much from him
It is good that Channi will be the first leader from Ropar to occupy the chair. But the way Congress govt has pushed the state towards bankruptcy, we don’t expect much from this CM too. Madan Mohan Mittal, BJP
Hope he keeps border state safe
My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he’s able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border. Capt Amarinder Singh, ex-CM
Was a difficult decision
The decision to replace Capt Amarinder Singh was a difficult one. His stature as a veteran Congress man has been officially recognised in the AICC resolution. Ashwani Kumar, Congress
Did nothing as minister
Channi is inconsequential for the state as he was in the Cabinet for four years but did not nothing to fulfil any demand of Dalits. Also, he has a taint on his character due to #MeToo case. Jasvir Singh Garhi , BSP
In parting letter to Sonia, Capt lists achievements
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