Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 13
In the tussle between Punjab ministers Sukhjinder Randhawa and Rana Gurjeet Singh with latter alleging use of money for the appointments of SSPs, Punjab Deputy CM OP Soni today took sides with the former.
No exchange of money happened. There is some confusion and it will be sorted out. Hence, there is no need for anyone to probe into the matter. OP Soni, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab
Soni, who was in city to review pace of development works in the district, said, “No exchange of money has taken place. There was only some confusion and it will be sorted out and hence there is no need for anyone to probe into the matter.” He said this in a reply to the queries pertaining to demand by opposition parties for conducting a probe into Rana Gurjeet Singh’s allegations.
Earlier in the day, Soni visited Sultanpur Lodhi constituency, represented by MLA Navtej Cheema. He was in the holy town for the inauguration of oxygen plants. His visit for a programme of Cheema in Sultanpur Lodhi, where Rana’s son Inder Partap Singh Rana is a ticket contender, too, is being seen as a move in favour of Rana’s opposite camp.
On PPCC chief Navjot Sidhu’s statement that he would not be responsible for the party’s victory if the government cannot handle sand, cable and transport mafia, Soni said: “I have all the regard for Sidhu, but most issues such as those related to sand, cable and transport businesses were being well taken care of and won’t be much of an issue”.
Responding to a query, Soni who is also holding the portfolio of health minister, said all genuine demands of nurses and ASHA workers would be fulfilled within a short span of time as the state government was sympathetically considering all their genuine concerns.
On Omicron variant of Covid, the Deputy Chief Minister said there was no need to panic but precaution are a must. The state government is fully geared up to tackle any kind of third Covid wave as the state enhanced the production of oxygen to 609 MT against the peak demand of 300 MT during the second Covid wave, he said. He also announced to enhance the capacity of Sultanpur Lodhi government hospital to 80 beds against the present 50.
In Jalandhar, accompanied by Education Minister Pargat Singh, Mayor Jagdish Raj Raja, MLAs Rajinder Beri, Sushil Kumar Rinku, Avtar Singh Bawa Henry, and Surinder Chaudhry, Soni said the state government was committed for the welfare of all sections of society adding that a slew of projects are being executed by the government to achieve the task of holistic development.
Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori apprised the Deputy CM that the Jalandhar is a frontrunner in the state in issuing timely mutations to property owners. He added that the district has implemented all welfare and development schemes.
Under smart city project, a total of 71 projects costing Rs 1,460 crore would be completed in the city, he said, while also detailing the progress made under Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, construction of Modal Playgrounds, Hariyawal Scheme, Smart roads, Bio-remediation project at Wariana dump site, LED lights in the city, drainage system and Burlton Park sports hub project.
SSP appointments: OP Soni sides with Sukhjinder Randhawa, says no one took money
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