Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

Punjab CM dares ex-finance minister to face truth on corruption charges

Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Sep, 2023 11:00 AM
  • Punjab CM dares ex-finance minister to face truth on corruption charges

Chandigarh, Sep 25 (IANS) Taking a jibe at Punjab’s former finance minister Manpreet Badal, who was booked by the Vigilance Bureau along with four others on charges of irregularities in the purchase of a property, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said those who used to boast about honesty are now running pillar to post for saving their skin.

The Chief Minister said there is a huge difference between speaking the truth and standing on it. He dared him to face truth instead of seeking legal protection.

He said these leaders earlier used to say that they will wait for whatever action is taken against them. However, Mann said now afraid of punitive action these leaders are seeking legal protection by asserting that they might be arrested.

The Chief Minister in a statement said these “hypocrites” have always befooled the people with their flowery language. However, he said in the garb of public service they had looted the wealth of the state which is not tolerable.

Mann said they would be made accountable for their sins and every penny plundered from the wealth of state will be recovered.

The Chief Minister said rather than making tall claims about honesty and simplicity the former minister must face action as per law of land.

He said the entire Punjab is well aware of misdeeds of the former minister, adding Manpreet who had remained finance minister for fairly long period was hand in glove with the elements who ruined the state.

Mann said the coffers of state were empty for welfare of people during his stint but the brazen loot of public money was allowed.

The Vigilance Bureau has registered a criminal and corruption case against Manpreet and four others. It has arrested three accused -- Rajiv Kumar, Amandeep Singh and Vikas Arora.

A spokesperson for the bureau said the case was registered on a complaint filed by former legislator Saroop Chand Singla.

He informed during the probe it was found that Manpreet during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2018 to 2021 used his political pressure and influenced to purchase two plots measuring 1,560 square yards in Bathinda, causing a loss of lakhs of rupees to the state exchequer.

Manpreet has already moved an application in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Ram Kumar Singla in Bathinda for his pre-arrest bail.

The court has listed the matter for hearing September 26.

MORE India ARTICLES

Punjab's agriculture expected to grow by 3.70 per cent: Minister

Punjab's agriculture expected to grow by 3.70 per cent: Minister
The livestock sector, he said, with rapid growth is becoming a major contributor to the growth of the agriculture and allied sector. "The livestock sector is likely to grow by 4.18 per cent in 2022-23," Cheema said, while adding the livestock sector's share in total Gross State Value Added (GSVA) of Punjab was 11.1 per cent during 2022-23.

Punjab's agriculture expected to grow by 3.70 per cent: Minister

PM to flag off Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat train on April 12

PM to flag off Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat train on April 12
The regular service of this Vande Bharat Express will start from April 13, and it will operate between Ajmer and Delhi Cantonment, with stops at Jaipur, Alwar and Gurgaon. The launch of the express train comes just eight months before the state goes for assembly polls.

PM to flag off Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat train on April 12

India: Covid fresh cases cross 5k-mark

India: Covid fresh cases cross 5k-mark
The Health Ministry said that till now 220.66 crore Total Vaccine doses (95.21 cr Second Dose and 22.87 cr Precaution Dose) have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive. 1,993 doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

India: Covid fresh cases cross 5k-mark

Bihar: Liquor mafia holds police, excise team hostage, 14 arrested

Bihar: Liquor mafia holds police, excise team hostage, 14 arrested
On Wednesday night, a team of district police and excise department went to Dharauli Dhangar Toli village and arrested a woman, Gayatri Devi, along with four liters of country-made liquor. The sleuths have taken Gayatri in police van to go to the police station. 

Bihar: Liquor mafia holds police, excise team hostage, 14 arrested

132-kg cake to kick-start Ambedkar's birthday celebrations in Mumbai

132-kg cake to kick-start Ambedkar's birthday celebrations in Mumbai
Mumbai's famed Merwans Confectioners will bake the 10 feet X 5 feet and 4-inch tall popular 'Lemon Crackle' cake, with dollops of cream and a special design in icing which will be cut to the accompaniment of a fireworks display and a shower of flowers from the air, said Nikhil Raut, who has designed the cake.

132-kg cake to kick-start Ambedkar's birthday celebrations in Mumbai

Netherlands firm keen to invest in Punjab's clean energy

Netherlands firm keen to invest in Punjab's clean energy
Asia's largest paddy straw and other agro-residue based CBG project of the total capacity of 33.23 ton CBG daily has been operationalised in Sangrur district and 42 additional CBG plants have been allotted by Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA).

Netherlands firm keen to invest in Punjab's clean energy