In a video message, AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha said the issues of Punjab have been put on the back burner amid a power struggle in the ruling party.
Tag: Punjab CM
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Capt Amarinder Singh resigns as Punjab CM, to address media at Raj Bhawan gate shortly
By Online Desk
Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday resigned as Punjab CM. He submitted his resignation along with that of his council of ministers, according to the CM office.
Singh will address the media outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan ahead of a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party, his media adviser said.
Singh had decided to put in his papers ahead of the crucial CLP meeting in Chandigarh on Saturday evening, sources close to him said.
In a tweet, the media adviser said, “Punjab Chief Minister @capt_amarinder will address a press conference at Pubjab Raj Bhawan Gate at 4:30 pm.”
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‘Humiliated thrice’: Amarinder Singh quits as Punjab CM, says ‘will exercise options when time comes’
By Online Desk
Congress veteran Amarinder Singh on Saturday resigned as chief minister of Punjab, capping months of a power tussle that had polarised the ruling party in the state headed for elections in just about four months.
“I feel humiliated”, says Amarinder Singh after resigning as Punjab CM. The Congress is free to “appoint whoever they trust”, Amarinder said, adding that he would “exercise his options when the time comes”.
Singh had decided to put in his papers ahead of the crucial CLP meeting in Chandigarh on Saturday evening, sources close to him said.
In a tweet, the media adviser said, “Punjab Chief Minister @capt_amarinder will address a press conference at Punjab Raj Bhawan Gate at 4:30 pm.”
Amarinder Singh, who had been facing internal feud and in-house attacks for months, had told Congress chie Sonia Gandhi on Saturday morning that he had put up with enough humiliation. “This kind of humiliation is enough, this is happening for the third time. I can’t continue to stay in the party with this kind of humiliation,” Singh told Sonia Gandhi.
Amarinder Singh’s move came as factionalism again surfaced in the state unit with sections opposed to him requesting a meeting of Congress Legislature Party. Punjab is scheduled to go to the polls early next year.
Four rebel ministers and MLAs had written to the party’s command demanding a meeting of the legislature party. Some of them conveyed that he does not enjoy the support of the majority of MLAs.
When the tussle in Punjab escalated in August, the party’s central leadership has sought to bury the hatchet by appointing Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress chief apparently against the desire of the Chief Minister.
Amarinder Singh, who was Captain during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, took the oath as the 26th Chief Minister of Punjab in 2017 after Congress won the Assembly Elections with the majority.
He served as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee from 2010 to 2013.
Singh had served as a member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for five terms representing Patiala (Urban) thrice and Samana and Talwandi Sabo once each.
In 2015, he was again elected as President of the Punjab Congress. Singh resigned from Lok Sabha on November 23, 2016, and fully dedicated himself to Punjab polls and the party came in power in the state with a majority.
Former Punjab Congress chiefs Sunil Jakhar and Pratap Singh Bajwa, and Beant Singh’s grandson Ravneet Singh Bittu are now the frontrunners of the CM post.
(With agency inputs)
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Change of guard in offing in Punjab? CM Amarinder Singh asked to step down
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The Congress is set to spring a BJP-style coup in Punjab with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh asked to step down by the party high command after a majority of 40 state MLAs demanded change of guard in the state ahead of assembly election next year. A new leader is expected to be decided following a meeting of party MLAs this evening.
Congress sources said that the change was required and a letter from 40 Punjab Congress MLAs to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi triggered the move. While names of former Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar, Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu and Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa are in the mix, sources clarified that Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu is out of the race.
“The message has been clearly delivered to Amarinder Singh that he will have to step down as he has lost the confidence of party MLAs. He is trying to keep his flock intact ahead of the meeting of party MLAs. He does not have numbers on his side to pressure to national leadership. Final decision on the name of the CM will be cleared by Congress high command,” said a senior party leader.
Amarinder has called a meeting of MLAs from his camp at 2 pm but the party high command has issued a directive that they should not attend it.
Amidst reports that he has threatened to quit the party, sources said that it looks unlikely as of now.
Late night, AICC incharge for Punjab Harish Rawat tweeted that the Congress Legislature Party has been called Saturday. He was rushed to Punjab along with AICC general secretary Ajay Maken by the party to settle the issue “one for all”.
“The AICC has received a representation from a large number of MLAs from the Congress party, requesting to immediately convene a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party of Punjab. Accordingly, a meeting of the CLP has been convened at 5:00 PM on 18th September at Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee office. AICC directs the PPCC to facilitate this meeting. All Congress MLAs of Punjab are requested to kindly attend this meeting,” he tweeted.
There has been ongoing power tussle between Sidhu and Amarinder Singh and the central leadership has failed to settle it. Despite objections by the Punjab CM, Sidhu was elevated as Congress chief and since then he has been attacking the CM over policies of the state government.
Based on the MLAs demands, Amarinder Singh was given an 18 point action plan to follow ahead of the assembly election.
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Punjab CM Amarinder Singh meets Sidhu, sets up panel for coordination ahead of assembly polls
Express News Service
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday agrees to set up a 10-member ‘Strategic Policy Group’ for better coordination between the ruling party and the state government.
In a move that struck a reconciliatory chord ahead of the crucial assembly elections, the two also ruled that all cabinet ministers must be be available at Punjab Congress Bhawan on rotation every day to address the public grievances.
One minister each will be available at the Congress Bhawan from Monday for three hours (11 am to 2 pm). In case, a minister is unable to make it, he or she will have to arrange a substitute. The arrangement will be in place five days in a week, from Monday to Friday, said Amarinder, adding that this will help in better coordination between his government and party functionaries in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly elections.
Sidhu along with working president Kuljit Singh Nagra and newly appointed General Secretary (Organization) Pargat Singh called on Amarinder to discuss related issues and steps to strengthen party-government coordination. It was his second visit after becoming the party president.
In the Friday meeting, it was also decided to expeite the implementation of various government programmes and reform initiatives.
Headed by the chief minister, the Group will have Local Government Minister Brahm Mohindra, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Social Security Minister Aruna Chaudhary as members, along with Sidhu, the four party working presidents; Kuljit Singh Nagra, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Sangat Singh Gilzian and Pawan Goel, besides Pargat Singh.
The group will hold weekly meetings, in consultation with other ministers, experts as may be required. It will discuss and review the progress of the various state government initiatives already under implementation, and will also suggest measures to expedite the same.
AICC general secretary and in-charge of Punjab Affairs Harish Rawat is also expected to reach here next week.
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Will teach Pakistan a lesson if they try to be adventurous, warns Punjab CM in his I-Day address
Express News Service
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, in his Independence Day speech, vowed to protect the state borders against the ‘nefarious desigs of Pakistan’.
He said that since his government has come to power, 47 Pakistani terror modules and 37 gangster groups have been neutralised.
Calling for extreme vigil against Pakistan, which continued to foment trouble even 75 years after independence, Amarinder asserted that he will not tolerate any aggression or attack on our territory. Addressing the people of the state after unfurling the national flag, he said, “We will teach them (Pakistan) the lesson of their lifetime if they try to be adventurous.”
Pointing to the use of drones by the neighbouring country to smuggle arms and drugs into the state, Amarinder warned that Pakistan will not leave any opportunity to take advantage of any vulnerability in Punjab.
Stressing the need to ensure peace in the state to promote development and progress of its people, he said his government would not tolerate any threat, including those from gangsters and terrorists. “We will deal with them squarely,” he said, adding that “Any threat to Punjab would be a danger to our entire nation.”
Later, interacting informally with some mediapersons, he expressed concerns over the continuing agitation of the farmers and said he had raised the issue recently during his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. He said he demanded the repeal of the farm laws, which were anti-farmer and against the spirit of the constitution. He made it clear that he would continue to fight with the farmers for the revocation of these legislations, and would not let the sacrifices of those who had lost their lives in this struggle go in vain.
In his official address, referring to the gains made by his government in its fight against the deadly menace of drugs, he highlighted the 47,510 cases registered under the NDPS Act and the 216 ‘big fish’ (caught with 5 kg or more of heroin) arrested so far. More than seven lakh patients are undergoing treatment as part of the de-addiction programme, he added.
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Punjab CM announces development projects worth Rs 1200 crore on Independence Day
Express News Service
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced development projects worth Rs 1200 crore to mark the 75th Indepence Day.
The projects will include development of link toads, phirnis and roads along with a slew of SC welfare prgrammes. A sum of Rs 1170 crore will be spent under the Punjab Nirman Programme for the needs of those residing in rural and urban areas.
After unfurling the national flag at Gandhi Ground in Amritsar, Amarinder said that an Act would soon be notified which would mandate budgetary spending on Dalit welfare equal to the percentage of SC population in the state, and the 85th Constitutional Amendment would be implemented in line with the judgements of the Supreme Court.
He also announced that certain expensive medical procedures and tests like Dialysis, X-Rays etc would be made free at government hospitals, further annoucing the launch of a universal health insurance.
Amarinder also announced regularisation of all Safai Karamcharis working for the past ten years and increase in the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers, Mini Anganwadi Worker and Helpers by Rs 600, Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively.
In order to facilitate ease of doing business, Amarinder also announced a new set of a whopping 1150 reforms for Medium & Small Enterprises (MSMEs). The details of these would be separately shared by the Department of Investment Promotion, he said.
Referring to the welfare of landless farmers, he said that the state government would make payment of Rs. 520 crores to 2.85 lakh landless farmers under the Debt Relief scheme on 20 August, the birth anniversary of late formerPrime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Further, Debt Relief upto Rs. 50,000 would be shortly given to about 16,000 beneficiaries of SC and BC Corporation at a cost of Rs. 62 crore, he added.
He said a sum of Rs 5 crore would be earmarked for the development of area in and around Guru ki Wadali, the birthplace of the 6th Sikh Guru Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji in the vicinity of holy city of Amritsar.
Paying glowing tributes to the legendary martyr Madan Lal Dhingra, the Chief Minister announced that a memorial would be established in Amritsar City as a mark of homage to him.
He conferred state awards on 45 persons for their valuable contribution to the society and dedicated services with a certificate, shawl and a medal. The awards for the year 2020 could not be conferred earlier due to Covid. However, a separate function would be held soon for giving the state awards for the year 2021 where distinguished persons, including GoC-in-C and all ranks of the Western Command, for their exemplary contribution in the fight against COVID, would be honoured.
He also handed over appointment letters for government jobs to the family members of each of the 34 victims of the tragic Amritsar rail accident at Jaura Phatak.
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Ahead of Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s visit, hand grenade found in Amritsar
By PTI
AMRITSAR: A day before the arrival of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, police recovered a hand grenade from the Ranjit Avenue area here.
The CM is scheduled to visit Amritsar on Saturday to dedicate Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Memorial Park, located in the Ranjit Avenue area, to the public.
The grenade was found by sweepers of the municipal corporation near a house.
Later, heavy police force reached the spot.
A bomb disposal squad was also called to the site.
The squad took the hand grenade in a sand bag to the outskirts of the city where it was diffused, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Harminder Singh.
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Punjab CM Amarinder Singh raises farm laws issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to repeal the three farm laws, citing social, economic and security implications of a prolonged farmers’ agitation.
He also sought 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and anti-drone gadgets for the Border Security Force (BSF) for protection from Pakistan-backed terror forces as Punjab is a border state and cited possible targeting of Hindu temples, prominent farmer leaders, RSS offices, RSS-BJP leaders among others, according to a statement by his office.
The chief minister said during the meeting that the farm laws have caused great resentment amongst farmers from Punjab and other states and they must be repealed.
He expressed concern over the fear of inimical powers from across the border trying to exploit the resentment and disgruntlement against the government and sought an expeditious solution to the farmers’ concerns.
The chief minister said protests have been going on in Punjab ever since the central government issued the ordinances in June 2020.
While these protests have so far been largely peaceful, one can sense rising tempers, especially as the state moves towards elections in early 2022, the chief minister said.
The prolonged agitation is not only impacting economic activities in Punjab but also has the potential to affect its social fabric, especially when political parties and groups take strong positions, he added.
The chief minister told Shah that the security situation was grave and needed the Centre’s immediate intervention, as he cited the recent heavy influx of weapons, hand-grenades and IEDs into the state, with Pakistan’s ISI also raising the ante ahead of the Independence Day and in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls.
Singh asked the Union Home Minister for CAPF deployment in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda, Phagwara and Moga, as well as anti-drone technology for the BSF deployed at the borders.
He pointed to the “potent threat” to the security of vital infrastructure/installations and public meetings/events being attended by “highly threatened” individuals, an official statement from Punjab government said.
Referring to inputs from central and state agencies, corroborated by disclosures made by arrested terrorists, Amarinder Singh said potential individual and mass indiscriminate targets include trains, buses and Hindu temples, prominent farmer leaders, RSS Shakhas/Offices, RSS/BJP/Shiv Sena leaders based in Punjab, Deras, Nirankari Bhawans and Samagams.
He cited specific inputs about five farmer leaders and that they had refused to take security offered by Punjab and Haryana police.
The chief minister apprised Shah about the recent efforts by Pakistan’s ISI and the country’s establishment to push large quantities of weapons, hand-grenades, RDX explosive, detonators, timer devices, sophisticated laboratory made tiffin bombs into Punjab for carrying out terrorist acts.
With the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for February-March 2022, many militant and radical operatives are being pressured by the ISI to carry out terrorist actions.
These are very serious and worrisome developments having huge security implications for the border state and its people, the CM warned.
Amarinder Singh also flagged the urgent need to compensate farmers for the management of paddy straw at Rs 100 per quintal and to address the growing fear of shortage of DAP (Diammonium phosphate), which would further aggravate the problems of farmers.
He urged Shah to immediately advise the officials of the fertilizers department for enhanced allocation of DAP stocks to Punjab as per the revised demand by the state and to further direct the suppliers to ensure that adequate stocks are given as per schedule.
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Punjab CM Amarinder rules out immediate cabinet reshuffle, says his govt fulfilled 93% of poll promises
By PTI
SANGRUR: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday ruled out the possibility of an immediate cabinet reshuffle and said his government has already implemented several steps from the 18-point agenda given by the Congress high command.Singh also said his government had fulfilled 93 per cent of the party’s promises made in the election manifesto.
After the party’s state unit revamp to quell factionalism, there was speculation about the possibility of a reshuffle in the cabinet.
The party high command last month had also asked Amarinder Singh to act on 18 issues including the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, drugs and power purchase agreements.
On the issue of “two power centres” in the party following the appointment of Navojot Singh Sidhu as the state unit chief, the chief minister said the government and the party are two different entities having defined roles and they would work unitedly towards steering Congress to victory in the ensuing assembly elections.
“Right now the party position is good and the same has to be further consolidated till elections,” said Singh who dedicated Shaheed Udham Singh memorial to people here during a state-level function on the 82nd martyrdom of the great revolutionary.
Ruling out any possibility of an immediate cabinet reshuffle, Singh, however, said that he would surely discuss this issue with the party high command during his visit to Delhi, according to an official press release.
On the issue of the 18-point agenda given by the Kharge committee, the CM said there was “some confusion” in this regard as his government had already implemented several points of this agenda and the remaining others would be accomplished soon.
The CM said that he had already apprised both party president Sonia Gandhi and Rajya Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge on this issue in their meeting.
Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has been raising the issue of the 18-point agenda in his meetings, saying that these will be implemented.
On the roadmap for the upcoming assembly polls, Singh said his government had already fulfilled 93 percent of poll promises made in the election manifesto and it would soon go up to 95 percent, according to the release.
Replying to a query from media on Sidhu not mentioning the names of the chief minister, Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi in his address at his installation ceremony as PPCC chief, Singh was quoted as saying that it is hardly any issue and doesn’t affect him at all.
On Sidhu’s frequent meetings with party leaders and MLAs, the CM said it is the duty of the party president to strengthen the organisational structure which can only be possible by keeping close liaison with the rank and file of the party.
Singh said he also remained PPCC president thrice and knew well about the duties of the party president. He said the party and the government should work as a team since the assembly elections are just six months away.