Jalandhar, April 11
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa has sought a CBI probe into the "diversion" of central funds worth hundreds of crores by the SAD-BJP government.

He urged the Punjab Governor to send a report to the Centre suggesting declaration of financial emergency in the state. Bajwa said he would meet the President, Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister to apprise them of the deteriorating fiscal position of the state.

"The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has identified a huge amount of more than Rs 3,500 crore of over Rs 6,000 crore of central funds that has been diverted by the state for other projects. At some places, officials have purchased furniture and laptops from MNREGA funds. The fiscal position of the state has deteriorated to such an extent that against its annual revenue collection of Rs 26,000 crore, the government spent Rs 36,000 crore," alleged Bajwa. He alleged the SAD-BJP combine was not doing anything to give a practical shape to its promises made to the people before the assembly elections.

"The dream projects of SAD-BJP like introduction of metros in Jalandhar and Ludhiana and four-laning of the state highways have been hanging in balance,” he said. 

Nawanshahr: Factionalism in the local Congress came to the fore in Bajwa’s presence when local Congress MLA Gur Iqbal Kaur Babli openly expressed her displeasure at the presence of District Congress president Satvir Singh Palli Jhikki at her residence. 

After addressing the rally at Banga, Bajwa visited the residence of Babli at Sloh village.Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress MLAs Tarlochan Singh Soondh and Charanjit Singh Channi and District Congress president Satvir Singh Palli Jhikki accompanied Bajwa.