Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Tuesday that his government would bring the Chief Minister, along with Ministers and bureaucrats, within the ambit of the Lokpal Bill to be enacted soon.
“The reforms by the Congress government will help to wipe out corruption and mafia. We are working on a new Lokpal legislation with the powers to act on complaints against the Chief Minister, the Ministers and the bureaucrats,” he said.
Capt. Singh said the government was also planning to give the panchayats judicial powers so as to ensure quick settlement of small cases and affordable justice at the grassroots. “Also, the Governance Ethics and Reforms Commission set up for comprehensive systematic reforms will scrutinise transactions above ₹50 crore,” he said.
Fool-proof law
The Chief Minister said the police were given a free hand to deal with criminal gangs. The government was working on a fool-proof law to control of organised crime.
Asked about the portrait gallery work, set to start on July 6 in the Golden Temple complex in memory of those killed during ‘Operation Bluestar’ including Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Capt. Amarinder Singh said the Damdami Taksal, a Sikh educational organisation, was trying to foment trouble in the State.
As for the fiscal position when he took over, he said the unpaid liabilities amounted to ₹13,039 crore, while debt had gone up from ₹51,155 crore in 2007 to ₹1,82,183 crore in 2017. Capt. Singh reiterated his support for the GST, saying it would be beneficial to Punjab.
