Punjab: Governor seeks particulars of fund utilisation by Bhagwant Mann authorities as state debt rises by Rs 50,000 crore underneath AAP
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On Friday (22 September), Governor Banwarilal Purohit sought particulars from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann concerning the utilisation of funds citing the alarming surge within the state’s debt underneath the AAP regime. While replying to CM Mann’s letter written a day earlier, the Governor acknowledged that he has realized that Punjab’s debt has gone up by about Rs 50,000 crore underneath the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation.
After highlighting the rise in debt, he sought from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann particulars of the utilisation of “this huge amount”.
Notably, he was responding to Mann’s letter through which the Punjab CM had requested the Governor to take up the difficulty of the agricultural improvement fund (RDF) amounting to Rs 5,637 crore pending with the President and the Prime Minister.
Responding to his demand, the Governor asserted that it might be acceptable “to wait for the decision of the Supreme Court” because the state authorities had already moved a plea on the matter earlier than the apex courtroom, earlier in July.
In response to Mann’s letter, the governor wrote, “I have received your letter regarding the Rural Development Fund (RDF) amounting to Rs 5,637 crore and requesting for my intervention to take up the case with the Prime Minister. At the outset, I would like to convey that I am duty-bound to serve the people of Punjab.”
He added, “I have learned from the media reports that you have already approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India before approaching me. It would be appropriate to wait for the decision of the highest court before anything is done on this issue.”
Seeking particulars concerning the utilisation of funds, the Governor emphasised that by means of an in depth response concerning the fund utilisation from the state authorities, he might spotlight that the funds had been utilised correctly and persuade the Prime Minister concerning his request.
In the letter, he added, “Further, I have learned that the debt of Punjab rose by about Rs 50,000 crore during your regime. Details of utilisation of this huge amount may be furnished so that I will be able to convince the prime minister that money has been properly utilised.”
Opposition writes a letter to the Governor demanding a complete audit concerning utilisation of funds
Following the alternate of letters between CM Bhagwant Mann and the Governor, opposition events in Punjab have raised a requirement to conduct an audit of the borrowings underneath Mann’s management. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) launched an assault on the Aam Aadmi Party and requested if the cash was spent solely on “self-promotion” and paying the “air travel and hotel bills” of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Subsequently, the Leader of the Opposition within the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa wrote a letter to the Governor on Saturday (twenty third September). In the letter, he identified that the extra debt of Rs 50,000 crore has resulted in a rise within the debt-to-GDP ratio to 47.6 %.
Bajwa highlighted the election guarantees of the AAP authorities and the way the Arvind Kejriwal-led get together had assured voters that they might alleviate Punjab from its debt burden however the actuality is totally completely different.
He acknowledged, “However, it has come to our attention that the reality seems to diverge significantly from these assurances. In just 18 months, the AAP-led government has borrowed a staggering Rs 50,000 crore.”
Bajwa added that essentially the most regarding side is the obvious lack of transparency and accountability within the “utilisation of this substantial loan”.
Asserting that it’s a problem to acquire info from the present authorities, he demanded, “These circumstances underscore the urgent need for an immediate and comprehensive audit, under the purview of the Accountant General of Punjab. This audit is not just a request, it is a demand for transparency and accountability.”
