Declaring a war against the Cable mafia, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday announced to fix the monthly rate of cable TV connection at Rs 100 to completely eliminate the cartelisation of cable from across the State.
Channi, addressing a massive public gathering in Atam Nagar assembly constituency, categorically said that the people are being unnecessarily harassed by the “cable mafia” by levying hefty charges which would not be tolerated anymore in future.
“All such businesses of transport and cable are owned by the Badal family, and now, the people need not to pay more than Rs 100 per month and strict action would be taken against those not adhering to the new rates. If anyone harasses you, inform me,” declared the Chief Minister.
Channi, during the rally organised by senior Congress leader Kamaljit Singh Karwal, also announced that all illegal bus permits would be revoked and, in turn, allotted to the unemployed youth.
The Chief Minister also announced that in next 10 days, the services of all safai sewaks working in the Municipal Councils and Corporations of the State would be regularised and there would be no condition of 10 years service, besides scrapping contract system for recruitment.
He also reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed for the welfare of poor people and ensuring holistic development of the State and its prosperity.
Channi said the historic decisions have already been taken for the welfare of poor people, including reduction in electricity rates by Rs 3 per unit, waiving off arrears of electricity bills worth Rs 1,500 crore, fixed water bills at Rs 50 per month, fixed the rates of sand and gravel per cusec feet at Rs 5.50 besides providing free power to rural water supply schemes.
Emphasising his Govern-ment’s commitment to ensure women empowerment, Channi said equal representation would be given to them in Government and as well as in the party fold in the coming days.
Lashing out at the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party leaders for misleading the Punjabis, Channi said Punjabis are wise enough and could not be fooled by false promises. “Punjab is the first State in the country that has the cheapest electricity,” he added.
On the occasion, senior Akali leader Sarabjit Kaur Sahoke, who had contested the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections on Akali ticket from Jagraon constituency; Bhupinder Singh Sahoke, SAD Halqa in-charge Nihal Singh Wala, along with their supporters joined the Congress party in presence of the Chief Minister.
SIDHU’S ANOTHER ATTACK ON CONG GOVT
Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday launched another attack on his own party’s Government, saying that the Chief Minister had announced to reduce sand prices, but still it was being sold for Rs 3,400 per trolley which has to end.
However, Sidhu lauded Chief Minister Channi for his pro-poor and landmark decisions within a short span of time and working round the clock for the economical weaker section of State.
Sidhu said the Congress-led Punjab Government would soon evolve a mechanism to make Punjab a debt-free State by launching effective policies, adding debt-free Punjab would be a better place for our future generations. He said the workers of Congress party would be given better representation in all boards, corporation and other bodies in recognition of their hard work and commitment towards the party.