Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has beenonce again caught in a controversy following the Punjab cabinet’s decision togive two state government jobs to sons of Congress MLAs.
Addressing a press conference in a private hotel here inJalandhar today, MLA Pargat Singh questioned the appointment of sons oflegislators Fateh Jung Bajwa and Rakesh Pandey as Inspector and Naib Tehsildar,respectively, on compassionate grounds by tweaking rules.
He said there are many meritorious candidates giving daysand nights to qualify competitive exams, however, on the other side, the sonsof legislators getting jobs on compassionate grounds. “This is purelyhorse-trading, and is sending out a wrong message in the public. The parametersmust be the same for all the candidates”, Pargat added.
He further said that audacity of CM Capt Amarinder Singhmust be appreciated as despite the decision being opposed by five Cabinetministers, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and among other MLAs, the CM wasadamant over its decision and giving justification for the same.
He said that five Cabinet Ministers including SukhjinderRandhawa, Sukhbinder Sarkaria, Charanjit Channi, Tript Rajinder Bajwa and RaziaSultana, had earlier pointed out that appointing son of an affluent MLA wassetting a wrong perception when there were more deserving persons, includinggenuinely poor families of former party MLAs and the kin of party workers whohad been killed by terrorists.
He further said that the decision must be taken backotherwise the party will have to face adverse repercussions.
Speaking on the issue of Capt Vs Sidhu, Pargat said thereis no personal enmity between Punjab CM Capt Amarinder and former ministerNavjot Sidhu, the two are having difference of opinions which is common indemocracy.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s officehas clearly stated the CM's stand on the decision. Media Adviser Raveen Thukralon Saturday tweeted, "No question of rescinding Punjab Cabinet decision onjobs for sons of 2 Congress MLAs. It is just a small token of gratitude andcompensation for the sacrifices of their families. It's shameful that some peopleare giving political colour to this decision”.