Days after his phenomenal rise following political turmoil in Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday said on the post he was just fulfilling his responsibility to the best of his ability, given by the party high command, as he has done in the past as well.
Getting humble on getting the coveted post, he said, “I am not a Chief Ministerial candidate. I was never one. Whatever responsibility the Congress party and the people of Punjab want me to shoulder, I will do that,” said Channi while sharing the report card of his Government’s 60 decisions in 60 days.
All through his speech, Channi’s focus was primarily on the claims, promises, and allegations of the Aam Aadmi Party’s national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He was seen responding to Kejriwal’s allegations and queries, by substantiating his claims with notifications, or orders, while also posing several questions to the AAP leader.
“I had never thought that I would become the Chief Minister one day...but ever since I joined the politics - whether be it the Kharar Municipal Committee head, or the MLA, or the Leader of the Opposition in Vidhan Sabha - I have done all my work diligently,” said Channi.
Channi became the Chief Minister of the poll-bound state following a bitter exit of Amarinder Singh due to a power tussle with the state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu - giving Punjab its first Dalit Chief Minister.
Channi said when the party entrusted him with the responsibility of serving Punjab as the Chief Minister, “I have taken about 60 decisions in my short tenure, and many people are coming from Delhi saying that I am just making announcements...Today, I have brought along with me the copy of the notification, or the Act made, and the orders issued to implement these decisions”.
Notably, a war of words is ongoing between the Congress and the AAP over several issues, with the Delhi Chief Minister accusing his Punjab counterpart of “imitating” him and making the same announcements as his, dubbing Channi as “fake Kejriwal”.
So much so, Kejriwal brought along with him electricity bills of Delhi power consumers to show that his government is providing 300 units free, while daring Channi to show any single bill with zero amount.
In response, Channi also presented several bills claiming that the number of such bills is in lakhs. “But I did not bring all the bills as it would be wastage of paper...If anyone has any doubt, he can see the orders,” he added.
“We made power cheaper from November 1 by Rs three for 68 lakh of 72 lakh consumers in Punjab, who have load up to seven kw. In Punjab, power is the cheapest in the entire India, I am making this claim, let anyone counter me,” said Channi, accusing the rivals of “misleading” people.
He said the Opposition leaders “are misleading the public because the bills recently issued were for October period and the relief will get reflected in the bills from January”. Speaking about cheaper power from non-renewable sources, he said that prices have been brought down to Rs 2.34 per unit from Rs 17.91 per unit during the previous government, led by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
On the issue of drugs, he refused to speak at public forum contending it may affect the proceedings in the Courts.
Demand purchase of all crops along with MSP: CM to SKM
After the withdrawal of three agricultural laws, the Chief Minister asked the leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is pressing on ensuring legalising the minimum support price (MSP), to work on ensuring the purchase of all crops along with the guarantee on MSP. “Even if the government gives the guarantee on MSP, the farmers would suffer if it does not guarantee the purchase of all the crops,” noted Channi. The Chief Minister pointed that he has requested the Central Government to prepare a scheme to waive the loans of farmers, and “it can be central and state partnership”.
Attacks Kejriwal
Hitting out atAAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Channi said that comparisons cannot be drawn between him and the Delhi Chief Minister as the latter is an outsider. “How can he compare himself with me? I am a true Punjabi, he’s an outsider. He can’t compete with me in understanding Punjab, its requirements, culture and ethos,” said Channi. To a question on calling Kejriwal a “kale angrez”, Channi said that he did not take anyone’s name and why is he taking it upon himself.
‘Non-Punjabi employees in Punjab Police to be discharged’
Channi maintained that all the All the police personnel who have been merged with the Punjab Police from the Para Military Force since 2013, will be on leave. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said that he has got a file in this regard.
All decisions taken by ‘Changi Sarkaar’ implemented
Channi, presenting a report card of his Government’s performance in the first 60 days, said that about 60 pro-people decisions were taken during his tenure as the Chief Minister and all of them were implemented. At the same time, he dared the opposition to list a single decision or an announcement during his tenure, which has not been implemented on the ground.
“People say it’s a Channi government, I say it’s a changi (good) Government,” said the Chief Minister.
Hitting out at his political opponents, Channi said that he was not someone who just makes announcements but the one who earns people’s trust by delivering on promises. “I am not ‘ailaanjeet’ (one who only makes announcements). I am ‘vishwasjeet’ (one who has won people’s trust),” said Channi.
Channi asserted that in a short span of time, his government has not only made several pro-people announcements but also implemented them.
“I am here to give a report card before people, to give a full account. We have formed a government to serve people. We will work with full honesty and transparency. What I say, I will deliver. I will not break people’s trust,” he said.
“We work for the welfare of all classes. This Government is of all, of common people,” he added. Channi said he was implementing decisions on the ground and not merely making announcements. “I am winning the trust of the people by acting on the ground. Be it reducing power tariff by Rs three from November 1, terminating PPAs, giving ownership rights to people living in lal dora of villages, waiving pending water bills of Rs 1,168 crore of rural water supply and reducing the water tariff to Rss 50, all had been done,” he said.
The CM said the Punjab Government will pay the bills for free power supply for rural water works; and in cities too, the water supply bills will be borne by the government.
SAD is mother of farm laws
Hitting out at the Shiromani Akali Dal over farm laws, Channi said the SAD is mother of these farm laws. “They passed a law of contract farming first and they showed it to their (erstwhile) ally BJP, which later brought farm laws,” he said.
