Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, March 15: The Punjab Congress Legislature party chief and Leader of the Opposition Mr Charanjit Singh Channi today accused the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal of committing fraud with the people in the name of adopting Bill to de-notify the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal as his intentions were exposed when he failed to get the Bill signed by the Hon’ Governor Mr Kaptan Singh Solanki. Channi said when he requested the Hon’ Governor to clear the file after Mr Badal had spoken, the Hon’ Governor asked for the file but it was not there. He questioned as to for what Mr Badal led delegation of all the MLAs if he was not to get the Bill signed that is mandatory for it to become Act. He recalled that the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004 that was enacted when Capt Amarinder Singh was the chief minister was signed by the Governor within hours and at that time, Mr Badal was also there.
Channi said it was clear that Mr Badal was playing with the sentiments of the people and trying to make an election issue rather than displaying any seriousness. If Mr Badal can send the request for the appointment to the Hon’ Governor from within the house, why is this that after 24 hours he was not able to take the bill along today.
The Congress legislature party chief Mr Charanjit Singh Channi today asserted that the de-notification of Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal land was originally the proposal of his party that is part of the record of the Assembly but was scuttled due to Machiavellian machinations of the ruling Akali Dal to claim credit for the state.
Mr Channi said it could be proved from the fact that the resolution that was moved by the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal did not made any mention of de-notification of the canal land as the it was not his proposal. However, he lifted this idea from the Congress adjournment motion that was rejected by the Speaker. Mr Badal talked of de-notification of land while speaking on the resolution. In case that had been the ruling party proposal, it would have been part of the resolution.
He said the same should have been added to the original resolution as amendment but even that was done.
He reminded Mr Badal that his own sins could not be washed away through such crafty moves as he too was guilty going by the fact that the very first notice to acquire land was issue after he took over as the Chief Minister in 1977 as he wanted to appease his friend and then Haryana counterpart Chaudhary Devi Lal.
Mr Channi said Mr Badal was again a party to the construction of this canal was the Punjab Accord that he had ratified to get ticket from party chief Mr Surjit Singh Barnala. Mr Badal cvould not go on blaming others.
The CLP chief said people could not be fooled all the time and he should have the guts to admit that the proposal to de-notify SYL Canal land had originated with the Congress. Congress will leave no stone unturned in getting this bill cleared from the Hon’ Governor. If the Government failed to send the bill to the Governor by tomorrow the congress will not allow the speaker to continue the budget session.
