Ex-minister’s PA accused of power abuse to bag project

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 4

Former Congress leader Mandeep Singh Manna, an activist, has accused Girish Kumar, personal assistant (PA) to former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, of bagging a project worth Rs 30.57 lakh for his unregistered construction firm using Sidhu’s influence. Manna said Navjot Kaur Sidhu helped Kumar’s firm get construction project in her constituency. “The firm was not registered with the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) or the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) but got tender worth Rs 30.57 lakh in 2013,” he said.

While addressing a press conference, Manna said he got the information through an RTI querry that the firm of Girish Kumar was not registered under the ‘B-Class’ category. “How could the firm bag project worth Rs 30.57 lakh without having sufficient documents? It is clear that Navjot Kaur Sidhu helped Girish. The AIT did all the formalities in one day,” he said.

Mandip Singh Manna demanded a high level investigation. “Corruption starts from the house of Navjot Singh Sidhu. His PA and others have been embezzling government funds. The government should investigate the matter. I will provide the necessary documents”, he added.

When contacted, Girish Kumar rubbished the allegations. “Everyone can apply for the tender. We also submitted our application as per the norms. There is no need to register the firm with the PUDA to get projects from the AIT. The work was allotted through e-tendering where no one can influence the functions. There was no need for the former MLA to help me to get the work as it was open for all,” Garish maintained.

According to Girish Kumar, Manna is trying to dent the image of former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu. “We got the work in 2013 but why is he raising the issue after five years? The sole motive of Manna is to defame Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu,” he added.