GANGSTERS RUNNING AMOCK WHEN CM GOES FOR A FUN TRIP: CHUGH
Face2News/New Delhi/Chandigarh
BJP National Headquarters In-Charge and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh today questioned the propriety of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann undertaking a family trip to France to celebrate his birthday on the pretext of setting up a stall of Markfed at a trade fair when Punjab is reeling under heavy financial crisis.
At a time when government emplyees are crying for DA and the state is being ruined by gangsters , the fun-trip of Bhagwant Mann is nothing less than making fun of Punjab and its people.
Launching a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab and the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Chugh said at a press conference, alleging that the government’s incompetence and inexperience have allowed the drug menace to consume the state’s youth and innocent children.
Reports of drug-related deaths continue to emerge from neighbourhoods and villages across Punjab, while those who raise their voices against drugs are being targeted in broad daylight. Punjab is burning under the weight of the drug crisis, yet the Chief Minister is preparing to travel to France with his wife to celebrate his birthday instead of addressing the suffering of the people.
Chugh said that the Chief Minister’s conduct amid such a grave crisis raises serious questions about the government’s priorities and its sensitivity towards the people of Punjab.
Chugh said that both the khaki and the khadi in Punjab appear to be caught in the grip of the mafia. The influence and intimidation of drug traffickers and criminal elements continue to grow. Grenade attacks on police stations have raised serious concerns about the state’s security situation, while police personnel themselves are increasingly worried about their safety. He asked how ordinary citizens could feel secure when those responsible for enforcing the law are themselves under threat. The killings of whistleblowers who speak out against drugs and the concerns of citizens who attempt to expose drug peddlers reflect the alarming state of law and order.
Chugh said Punjab is gripped by fear and insecurity, yet the Chief Minister appears more concerned about his foreign trip than confronting this crisis. Questioning the proposed visit to France, Chugh alleged that a birthday celebration in Paris was being projected as an official government tour. He asked what kind of official delegation includes the Chief Minister’s wife and what the justification for her participation is. The people of Punjab have a right to know the rules governing the visit and who will bear the expenses of the Chief Minister’s family’s travel. Chugh said taxpayers’ money must not be used to finance private celebrations or family leisure trips. At a time when Punjab faces serious economic and administrative challenges, the use of public funds must be transparent and accountable.
Chugh said that while the Punjab government repeatedly cites a shortage of funds, questions remain over pending dearness allowance (DA) for government employees, the difficulties faced by pensioners and other outstanding government obligations. Elderly pensioners and employees are struggling to meet their legitimate financial needs. Against this backdrop, the government must disclose the expenditure associated with the Chief Minister’s proposed foreign visit.
Chugh asked how the government could plead financial constraints when meeting its obligations to employees and pensioners while leaving unanswered questions about public money being spent on an overseas delegation accompanying the Chief Minister. Chugh pointed out that, according to the information available, MARKFED received an invitation to set up a stall at an exhibition in France. He questioned why the Chief Minister’s presence in Paris was necessary if the invitation was specifically for MARKFED’s participation. Has the French government issued a formal invitation to Bhagwant Mann? If so, why has the invitation letter not been made public?
Chugh said that a state’s participation in a commercial exhibition and the justification for the Chief Minister’s official foreign visit are two separate matters. The government must clarify the actual purpose of the trip, disclose the names of all delegation members and specify the budget head from which each member’s travel expenses will be paid.
Chugh demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann publicly release the formal invitation from the French government, the complete delegation list, the official purpose of the visit, the applicable rules and protocol, and a detailed account of the total expenditure. He said Punjab needs leadership that takes decisive action against drugs, curbs criminal networks and restores public confidence in law and order, not a Chief Minister who leaves the state amid a deepening crisis to celebrate his birthday abroad.
Chugh said the people of Punjab deserve answers: when young lives are being lost to drugs, those opposing the drug trade are being killed, and even police personnel face security concerns, why are the safety and future of Punjab not the Chief Minister’s foremost priorities?
