Asking Punjab local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu not to turn governance into a comedy circus, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday said the Minister should either come out with proof of his embezzlement charge or apologize immediately for resorting to cheap theatrics.
“You are in the habit of telling white lies and making tall claims to earn a few laughs. You ought to change your ways now. Governance is not a Comedy Nights with Kapil show. Here you will be made accountable for each and every word uttered by you,” said former Minister and SAD spokesman Daljeet Singh Cheema, reacting to Sidhu’s allegations that Smart City project funds had been embezzled by the previous SAD-BJP Government besides other irregularities.
Challenging Sidhu to prove these allegations immediately or apologize and resign from his post, Cheema said Sidhu was showing the same mindless behaviour which he wanted to exhibit in his laughter show.
“Punjab was sanctioned Rs 200 crore under the Smart City Project in the first phase. Rs 200 crore was sanctioned for ludhiana out of which the Finance Department released only Rs 32 crore, and remaining Rs 168 crore is still held up in the treasury,” he said. “You should work to get this money released as well as release the 50 per cent state share to expedite completion of this project in ludhiana instead of day dreaming about embezzlement,” he added.
Speaking about funds for Jalandhar and Amritsar smart city projects, Cheema said that both projects were sanctioned in the second phase. “The state did not receive any finances for starting work on these projects,” he said while clarifying that no funds has been released for the water supply scheme for Amritsar as referred by Sidhu.
Cheema, terming Sidhu’s allegations about siphoning off money sanctioned by the Centre for tourism projects as ridiculous, said: “You have abrogated the right to call yourself an ambassador of culture based on your performance in a comedy show, but it takes hard work and commitment to execute works like the Virasat-e-Khalsa, Jang-e-Azadi War Memorial, Chhota and Vadda Ghallughara memorials, Banda Bahadur memorial at Chappar Chirri as well as Bhagwan Valmiki and Guru Ravi Das memorials,” he said.
Advising Sidhu to maintain decorum, Cheema said: “You are a Minister now. You should know that no one can embezzle state funds or siphon off any money as you are claiming. Please read up on state rules of governance or take training if required. But behave and conduct yourself like a Minister and not a roadside comic.”