Press Release from Mr.Sukhpal Singh Khaira MLA

The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee takes strong exception to the declining fiscal health of Punjab. As exposed by The Tribune news today the State Govt. has embarked upon one of the last resort available by auctioning State Development Loans (SDL) worth 3458 crores since January 2009.

As we are aware Punjab is passing through grave financial crises with Public debt of over Rs. 63000 crores projected for 2009-10. Similarly our revenue deficit for the current year has reached an all time high of Rs. 4233 crores. While the nation is progressing at an average growth rate of 8-9 percent, Punjab lags far behind with a growth rate of only 5 percent. Farmers have taken to suicides in large numbers with a staggering debt of over Rs. 35000 crores. PSEB is in shambles with Rs. 19000 crores as outstanding debt.

It is also sad to note that while Punjab is bleeding the CM is on a spree distributing largesse through his illegitimate ‘Sangat Darshan’ programme promoting various populist schemes. It is pertinent to mention here that the Finance Minister point blank refused to bring Rural Development fund being misused by the CM under the scrutiny and audit of the Vidhan Sabha. Last year’s report of Controller Auditor General (CAG) had categorically indicted the CM distributing funds under has ‘Sangat Darshan’ programme, yet the state govt. refuses to learn a lesson.

Keeping in view complete breakdown of the fiscal machinery and management of the State Govt. the PPCC urges the SAD-BJP Govt. to come with a white paper on the State’s economy. Congress urges the Badal Govt. not to hoodwink the people of Punjab and misuse tax payers money. Auctioning off State Development loans for running the day to day expenses will land Punjab in further financial mess thus the people of Punjab ought to know the financial situation of the state.

Sukhpal Singh Khaira

MLA Bholath