Facing fire for alleged inaction from his own party men besides the opposition, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday virtually set the Government’s roadmap for the remaining two years by announcing a slew of decisions for generating employment, ending transport monopoly, bringing new mining policy, and other burning issues.

Days ahead completing three years in power, Capt Amarinder announced 2000 road permits to check transport monopoly, bringing mining policy “very soon”, filling vacancies and meeting shortage of staff in various departments with priority for posts reserved for the SCs and physically disabled, among others.

Chief Minister’s announcements came after several Congress MLAs, during the discussion on the state budget, pointed fingers at the state government’s functioning and delayed approach in taking significant decision harming the state’s interests.

Hailing the decision to revert the retirement age to 58 by ending the optional extension policy, Capt Amarinder declared that the government would hire three against every employee retiring from the government. “A single case of retirement in a high pay scale could help generate jobs for three youth in the lower bracket…This would help us in clearing the backlog we have,” he said.

He said that all the vacancies that will be created as a result of the move would be filled in the next two years, as the Government has already provided 57,000 jobs, including contractual. Chief Minister also announced 5,000 mini bus permits for the youth.

2000 ROUTE PERMITS TO CHECK MONOPOLY

Reiterating the State Government’s commitment to check “monopoly and undue” business in the transport sector, Capt Amarinder announced 2000 route permits for regular 52-seater stage carriage buses during the next two years.

After several MLAs demanded bringing a Transport Policy, the Chief Minister pointed out that the matter was sub-judice but necessary action would be taken as per the directions of the Court, as and when the issue was settled.

He informed the House that following the High Court’s judgment declaring number of permits illegal, the government has issued 142 show cause notices which, after thorough examination, will be cancelled if found illegal. “In addition, 15-day show cause notices is also being issued for another 212 permits and it would also meet the same fate of found illegal,” said the Chief Minister, promising total transparency in issuance of permits, along with all possible steps to break the monopoly in the transport sector.

MORE AMBULANCES FOR STATE

Capt Amarinder also announced his Government’s decision to deepen the ambulances network, through ‘Dial 108’, to ensure quick and effective delivery of health services at the doorstep.

The number of ambulances will be increased from the existing 242 to 400 during the next two years, enabling 24X7 access to ambulance services for every cluster of 30-35 villages, he said.

WHITE PAPER ON POWER DRAFT READY

Maintaining that the draft White Paper on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed by the previous Government was ready, Capt Amarinder said that more work was needed on it before tabling it in the House.

Waving the draft copy of the white paper, Capt Amarinder said that the existing PPAs needed to be thrashed out in detail.

The Chief Minister had, in January this year, announced that the Government would bring out a White Paper to expose the alleged fraud committed by the Akalis in signing the PPAs with private players during their regime.