Shimla, September 11
After daylong deliberations on the inaugural day of the “Punjab Vichar Sammelan”, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has taken several important administrative decisions in principle that will be implemented after consultation with its alliance partner — the BJP. These include a review and probe into irregularities in the implementation of the “atta-dal” and pension schemes. The issue of other subsidies is not on the agenda.
The party high command has asked its leaders to take achievements, programmes and policies of the SAD-led Punjab government to the people, virtually launching its campaign for the 2012 general poll.
Though the conclave saw serious discussions on many important issues including administrative reforms, a lot of time was spent by the Punjab ministers in presenting their “report cards”.
Contrary to expectations, the issue of subsidies being given to the agriculture and other sectors did not come up for discussion at the conclave today. Senior party leaders said the issue was neither on the agenda, nor was it expected to come up tomorrow.
Reacting to the day’s proceedings, SAD president Sukhbir Badal said, “It is one of the best interactions we have had within the party. Everyone came out with great suggestions to improve governance, make the government more accountable, evaluate our past performance and plan for the future. Going by the success of the conclave, we have decided to hold a similar interaction every six months.”
Harcharan Bains, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s media adviser, said the CM had consulted leaders of the BJP on issues that were discussed here today and their opinions had been sought prior to coming here. One of the decisions taken today was
to announce the launch of a voluntary disclosure scheme to check power theft, he said.
A similar proposal has been made for water theft from irrigation canals. As far as transfer of government employees is concerned, the government will fix a time during the year when applications would be accepted, he added.
This year the cut off date is September 30 for requesting a transfer. In future, applications from all departments are likely to be accepted only during the month of May, Bains added.
To ensure better governance, all Punjab ministers have been asked to be in Chandigarh every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A special committee is being constituted at the state-level to study reasons for good and bad performance of the SAD in all recent general and byelections. These reasons would be kept in mind while contesting the next poll.
Bains made it clear that all these decisions that involved the BJP would be implemented after consulting the party. “Nothing will be done that hurts the interest of the BJP,” he said.
