Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over rising prices and alleged anti-worker policies while also targeting the Indian National Congress on issues related to land dealings.
Addressing the media after a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Cheema said the BJP has shown itself to be “anti-worker” by allowing a sharp increase in the price of commercial LPG cylinders and he says that the price of a 19 kg commercial gas cylinder has risen significantly from around Rs 2,321 earlier to about Rs 3,315 now.
He said this price hike would directly affect the food industry including small eateries and businesses that depend heavily on commercial gas and according to him the move will increase costs for common people as well, talking further and referring to International Workers' Day also known as Labour Day Cheema said the price rise on such a day is “an insult” to workers across the country and he added that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had called a special assembly session dedicated to workers and their issues.
Cheema further alleged that the BJP had avoided increasing prices before elections in four states but took the decision afterward and said that if such steps had been taken before the polls people might not have supported the party and also accused the BJP of burdening people with inflation saying that rising prices are making life difficult for ordinary citizens.
Cheema also targeted the Congress alleging that “land mafia” elements are strong within the party and referred to a report to support his claims.
