Punjab BJP chief alleges AAP govt has failed on governance, law and order

Rupnagar (Punjab), Jul 9 (PTI) Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the AAP government, alleging that it had failed on governance, law and order, illegal mining, farmers' welfare and financial management. Addressing a BJP workers' meeting in Rupnagar, which the party claimed turned into a public rally, Dhillon alleged that the AAP government had pushed Punjab towards financial distress instead of delivering the "change" it had promised before the 2022 assembly elections. He claimed that the state's debt had increased from Rs 2.82 lakh crore to nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore during the present government's tenure. Targeting AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal over his promise to eliminate drugs within three months, Dhillon alleged that the government's anti-drug campaign had failed and drug abuse continued to affect the youth of Punjab. He also alleged a deterioration in the law and order situation, claiming that incidents of extortion, murders, robberies and violent attacks had become frequent across the state. On farmers' issues, the BJP leader accused the Punjab government of failing to procure moong at the minimum support price (MSP) despite its assurances, leaving farmers in distress. He said Punjab should adopt crop diversification and claimed that Haryana was ensuring MSP on all crops. Referring to government employees, Dhillon alleged that the staff of deputy commissioners' offices, Sewa Kendras, schools and the power department were protesting over various demands. He claimed that the Punjab government had failed to release 42 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA), while BJP-ruled states were providing 60 per cent DA. He also accused the AAP government of delaying its promised monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to women by imposing eligibility conditions and registration requirements. Raising the issue of illegal mining, Dhillon alleged that Rupnagar had become the "capital of illegal mining" in Punjab. He claimed that around 150 FIRs had been registered in connection with illegal mining but alleged that the government had failed to curb the menace. Questioning the government's mining revenue, he said Kejriwal had promised before the elections that mining would generate Rs 20,000 crore annually, but the government had realised only around Rs 600 crore. Dhillon alleged that the remaining revenue had gone unaccounted for. Highlighting the BJP's development agenda, he said the party believed in development-oriented governance and claimed that the Centre had provided Rs 4.13 lakh crore for Punjab's development. The state BJP chief urged party workers to intensify their outreach and take the Centre's welfare schemes to every village and household, expressing confidence that the party would form the next government in Punjab. PTI VSD KSS KSS