Congress MLAs maltreated at CM residence

Badal supports his hospitality
Congress MLAs maltreated at CM residence
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 24
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here condemned the alleged “maltreatment” meted out by the UT police to the Congress MLAs, who today lodged a protest against the high-handedness of the SAD during the PRI polls and burnt his effigy at his residence in Chandigarh.
While talking to TNS during his visit here, Badal alleged that most of the MLAs had never been allowed to go even near the CM’s residence during Captain Amarinder Singh’s regime. They might have got excited when they found free access to his residence. “That they were frenzied, I can very well understand,” added Badal.
Narrating today’s incident, Makhan Singh, MLA Pakka Kalan, said, “Though the police rounded us up, the magistrate freed us as we were not found guilty.” He added that the CM’s statements that MLAs were not allowed to move near the CM residence during the Congress regime were baseless.
When asked about PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s recent statement that she would visit the CM’s residence again on May 29, he said, “She would be welcome anytime.”
The CM was accompanied by local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia and SAD-chief Sukhbir Badal here on the second and final day of the foundation stones laying spree.
The trio visited Goniana, Sangat and Raman mandis of the district and laid foundation stones for water, sewerage and sewerage treatment plant projects.
Speaking at the functions, the CM said the estimated cost of projects was worth Rs 4.98 crore at Sangat, at Goniana (Rs 7.81 crore) and at Raman (Rs14.99 crore).
He said an estimated sum of Rs 2,784 crore was required for providing the three basic civic amenities throughout the state — Rs 638 crore for safe drinking water, Rs 756 crore for sewerage and Rs1,390 crore for the sewerage treatment plants.
For funds, the NABARD, World Bank, central government and some agencies had been approached, the CM added.
The CM also congratulated city based Nitin Bansal who secured 155 rank in the recent UPSC examination.