Chandigarh, March 20
It must have been a heady moment for Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, who sat patiently in the assembly as SAD-BJP MLAs poetically showered praises on him for the Budget. Amid the exhilarating session, allegations of misuse of the Punjab Nirman funds, spent during the last year of the Congress rule, were vociferously raised by MLA Jagdish Sahney during the Budget discussion. “Congress ni is di durdasha kar diti,” he alleged. Sahney’s spree of allegation went on as he alleged that majority of the Punjab Congressmen were tainted. “Those who had lassi and juice vends became millionaire. When I became MLA, I had 40-45 buses, today the number is less than 25,” he said.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Brahm Mohindra, condemning the Budget, said Suvidha centres have become lottery outlets. “The Budget has no provision for the recommendation of the
Pay Commission. Besides, it does not mention funds for pension of those above 65 years of age, as announced by the minister concerned,” he said.
