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The Punjab Chief Minister denies going soft on drug menace in exclusive interview

As the Congress government in Punjab nears six months in power, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in an exclusive interview with The Hindu has said the revival of investor confidence and industrial development is one of the biggest achievements of his government. The crackdown on drugs and the farm loan waiver are other key accomplishments he mentioned.

Captain Amarinder said Punjab’s new industrial policy is close to finalisation, which will focus on further simplifying the systems and procedures for doing business and ensuring a level playing field for new and existing industries.

The Chief Minister dismissed accusations of going “soft’” on the drugs menace given the lack of action against former revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia of the Akali Dal in a case allegedly involving drug dealing.“As far Bikram Singh Majithia is concerned, let me reiterate what I have maintained all through, even during my election rallies. That my government will not indulge in any vendetta politics, but at the same time, anyone found guilty of any crime or misdemeanour will not be spared,” he said.

Accepting that the State’s poor financial situation has forced the government to slow down the pace of fulfilling a few of its promises, Captain Amarinder said, “We had expected a financial debt burden of ₹1.5 lakh crore, as against which we are actually faced with ₹ 2.08 lakh crore of debt. This gap in our estimation and reality has forced us to go slow on some of our promises, including farm loan waiver, which we have only been able to implement in part so far,” said Captain Amarinder.

“However, neither before the polls nor since forming the government has the financial situation deterred us from our commitment to fulfil our promises, including the farmers,” he added.

Commenting on Centre-State relations, Captain Amarinder said, “As the Prime Minister of India, Modiji is as much responsible for the welfare of Punjab as I am and his political affiliations are really not material when it comes to the betterment of any State or its people, including Punjab.”

Asked about the fact that few Congress MLAs have been complaining that the bureaucracy has been made “powerful” while legislators have hardly any say in governance, the Chief Minister said, “As elected representatives, MLAs are accountable to the people and I will not allow anyone to undermine their importance. But I also want to curb the tendency of political interference which, all these years, led to the erosion of all important institutions in the government.”

Defending Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, who is facing allegations of corruption in sand mining, Captain Amarinder said the media and other political parties should wait for the Narang Commission’s report to be made public before baying for the Minister’s blood.

The Chief Minister accused the Akali Dal of playing politics with religion. “The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhadhak Committee chief Kirpal Singh Badungar himself has been at the forefront of this gameplan of the Akalis. The SGPC leadership has become a virtual mouthpiece of the Akalis and has been indulging openly and brazenly in politics,” he said.

On the recent violence in Haryana and Punjab after conviction of Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda chief in a rape case, Capt. Amarider said, “A huge mistake was made by the Haryana government in allowing such a large group of Dera supporters to gather in Panchkula.”