Partap Bajwa accuses AAP of turning Punjab into debt-ridden state
The Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Thursday accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of turning Punjab into a miserable debt-ridden state in just 2.5 years of its regime.
“The AAP has left no financial institution without seeking a heavy loan. Meanwhile, the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board also known as the Punjab Mandi Board has been running from pillar to post to raise loans from various banks. Some banks have already shown reluctance to provide loans,” Bajwa said.
He said the Mandi Board has now opted for a loan from the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) at 8.3 per cent interest to repair rural roads.
“The Punjab government has been in a knee-deep financial crisis only because of the mismanagement, inefficiency, and insincerity of the AAP cabinet,” he added.
The Congress leader said that the debt burden on the state exchequer is actually the burden on the people of Punjab.
It is the people of Punjab, who will have to repay the debt eventually with heavy taxes. The AAP has already hiked Motor Vehicle Tax, VAT of petrol and diesel, and collector rates, he added.