ASSERTS PUNJAB IS BEING DEFAMED FOR PADDY STRAW BURNING AS A PART OF PLANNED CONSPIRACY
CLEAR THE MIST OVER INTENT OF SIR: CM TO EC
SLAMS CENTRE FOR STEP MOTHERLY TREATMENT WITH PUNJAB
Chandigarh, October 28-
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that as several political parties are raising objections over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being undertaken by the Election Commission of India, so the constitutional body must clear the mist over it.
Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that the actions of the ECI, particularly the SIR, should not appear to be vote theft aimed at muzzling the voice of democracy. He said that rather than being a mute spectator, the ECI should pay heed to the objections being raised by the opposition and clarify them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ECI is duty bound to give reply to all the concerns being raised by the various political parties so that public faith in democracy is strengthened.
Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said that as a part of planned conspiracy, Punjab is defamed for pollution in the national capital on pretext of stubble burning whereas the reality is completely different. He unequivocally said that around 90 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) of the crop is yet to come in the grain markets so where has the stubble burning took place in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those blaming Punjab for pollution in Delhi forget that Haryana falls between state and national capital whereas they don’t name it for this chaos.
The Chief Minister categorically asked the leaders why the AQI of Delhi is so poor nowadays whereas paddy straw burning is not taking place in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the food growers of Punjab are being defamed whereas no alternative is being offered by centre adding that the Prime Minister can ensure cease fire at international level but is least bothered about this major issue involving several states. He bemoaned that despite the fact Punjab is contributing 170 LMT of paddy in the national pool irrespective of the flood fury, the centre never appreciates this.
The Chief Minister slammed the Union government for meting out step motherly treatment with the state especially in this hour of grave crisis. He said that the state is yet to receive Rs 1600 crore announced by the Prime Minister for the flood relief adding that to aggrieve the situation the centre government is trying to adjust the funds from other ongoing schemes in this too. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Union government should stop this maltreatment with the state which is the food bowl and the sword arm of the country.
On another query, the Chief Minister said that despite several attempts he has not been able to meet the Prime Minister as he is apparently busy in electioneering in Bihar. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he wanted to flag the issues of floods before the Prime Minister along with extending invitation to him for the events to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. However, he said that as the Prime Minister is busy in Bihar, they are even ready to visit the poll bound state and meet him there so that the issues of state can be highlighted.
