‘Where is the money?’: Jakhar questions AAP govt’s budget

Bathinda: Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said that the budget presented by the Aam Aadmi Party govt would push the state into an even deeper debt crisis. Going by the announcements about certain schemes, mainly cash incentives to women, Jakhar questioned where the money would come from to fund the promises made in the budget.Jakhar said that helping poor and needy people is the govt's responsibility, but to ensure that this does not turn into another deception of the people before the Assembly elections, the govt must clearly explain where Rs 1,000 crore required every month for the scheme promising cash assistance to women would come from, and how this funding would continue in the future. He also questioned whether funds from other schemes would be cut to distribute money to women. Jakhar was speaking to mediapersons at Barnala after addressing a meeting ahead of Union minister Amit Shah's visit on March 14. The state BJP president said that schemes launched to buy votes without creating sources of revenue would only increase the burden of debt on the state, and ultimately the people of Punjab would bear this burden indirectly. He claimed that the finance minister had admitted that the state's debt would cross ₹4.59 lakh crore, and in reality it could reach ₹5 lakh crore by the end of the next financial year. "Before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal promised that new sources of revenue would be created, but the income from mining is visible to everyone, and it is also no secret where the money from illegal mining is going," he added. Jakhar said the Congress party remained silent, and its leaders do not have the courage to speak against the AAP govt in the Assembly. Referring to the upcoming BJP rally in Moga, Jakhar said there is strong enthusiasm among the people. He added that after being disappointed with the main opposition Congress party, as well as the governing party AAP, people are searching for a party with capable leadership that can pull Punjab out of the current crisis. MSID: 129271112 413 |