AAP: DC being transferred for not allowing wrong sale of LIT land

Ludhiana: Local unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday alleged that deputy commissioner Varinder Sharma was being transferred and they “opposed this punishment” to the officer.

Addressing mediapersons here, AAP Ludhiana Lok Sabha polls in-charge Amandeep Singh Mohi said, “The DC was being penalised for his honesty and upright behaviour as he had taken a stand against the sale of government properties by the ruling party.”

AAP Punjab spokesman Ahbaab Singh Grewal alleged that the deputy commissioner was being punished as he had not allowed the sale of improvement trust land and building at rates much lower than the market value and had also marked an inquiry against Gill MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid.

Mohi and Grewal claimed that the AAP wouldn't allow an honest officer to be penalised for doing his duty and saving hundreds of crores of public money. AAP leaders alleged that the officer being brought to replace him was Dr Amarpal Singh, who is “highly indebted to the Badals for saving him in the iron ore scam and due to which he was promoted to the IAS.”

AAP leaders Gurjit Singh Gill, Madan Laal Bagga and Ashok Prashar (Pappi) said, “Our party will approach the election commission against this arbitrary and wrong step of the Punjab government.” They said this pointed to collusion between the SAD and the Congress, as they were trying to team up like the last time against the AAP.

Grewal and Mohi said the transfer was against the rules laid down by the ECI. Party’s district secretary Sharanpal Singh Makkar, district vice-president Dr Deepak Bansal and media in-charge Dupinder Singh were also present at the press meet.

The Congress, however, has refuted the allegations. Congress’s district president (urban) Ashwani Sharma said he was not aware about the transfer and if it was done, it must be in routine. He added that the AAP has no issue left because chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi has delivered on the promises. The Congress leader said the deputy commissioner had no role in the auction of the LIT land and no inquiry was marked against the Gill MLA.

The DC refused to comment on the issue.