‘Drain on state exchequer’: Opposition slams AAP on convening special session on Labour Day

Chandigarh: Accusing the AAP-led Punjab govt of "consistently misleading" people in the name of the special assembly sessions, the BJP and SAD on Wednesday said if the govt was sincere in dedicating the session to Labour Day on May 1, it should release the pending DA dues to state govt employees.Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said, "Employees have been waiting for the DA payments for a long time. Construction workers are not receiving their due benefits on time, and the condition of farm labourers remains distressing."BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh termed the upcoming special session as "a wasteful political circus and a drain on the state exchequer."Chugh stated, "Mann govt is misusing a constitutional institution like the assembly not only to manage its crumbling party and shaky MLAs, but also to divert attention from rising public anger caused by its failures, incompetence, broken promises, mafia raj, gangsterism, and extortion networks in Punjab."He added, "If the govt is serious, it should stop indulging in theatrics on Labour Day and immediately release Rs 15,000 crore towards DA and pending dues of govt employees."SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said the move to call the special session was "aimed at political optics rather than addressing public concerns." The Akali leader stated, "The govt has failed to address pending dearness allowance dues." He demanded that the govt make "a concrete announcement to clear these dues within a fixed timeline, in line with directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court."Majithia also stated, "The session is being called at a time when Punjab is facing serious challenges, including deteriorating law and order situation, rise in gangster-related incidents, increasing drug abuse, and frequent power cuts." He alleged, "Instead of deliberating on these matters, the govt is focusing on publicity and political messaging."LoP Partap Singh Bajwa accused Mann of calling special session to dodge court appearance.Bajwa posted on X, "On May 1—International Workers' Day—when the world honours the dignity of labour, @BhagwantMann chooses to burden Punjab's exchequer with a "special" Vidhan Sabha session, not for workers, but to dodge a court appearance."Bajwa added, "This is not governance, this is misuse of institutions." Referring to a Mansa court ordering Mann to ensure his appearance before the court on May 1 in connection with the criminal defamation case filed by former AAP MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia against Mann, Bajwa stated, "He has repeatedly shown his disdain for legal process."Congress MLA and former education minister Pargat Singh on Wednesday said that "instead of indulging in theatrics, the Mann govt should announce payment of Rs 15,000 crore for DA instalments and full arrears by June 30."He added, "The govt is trying to project unity among its MLAs after some of its MPs joined the BJP, to show there is no internal split."He said, "The govt has never shown seriousness towards employees and labourers. While it spends crores on publicity and special sessions, it fails to provide even 100 days of employment under MGNREGA, limiting it to just 29 days. Workers' rights are being ignored, and farm labourers are in a dire condition."EndsMSID:: 130607920 413 |
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