Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday appreciated Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s efforts to depoliticise the civil and police administration of the state.
“Badal clan had completely and shamelessly politicized the entire civil and police administration mechanism of the state for the past 10 years. The police particularly was grossly misused as a private militia by them to settle personal scores with their political opponents. Thousands of false cases under a well-planned political vendetta drive were registered by the police at the behest of Akali leaders across the State, causing misery to the ordinary citizens. The sole aim of this erroneous and unconstitutional methodology adopted by the Akalis, was to strengthen their political outfit for cheap electoral gains,” said AAP MlA and chief whip Sukhpal Khaira.
He said that it appeared that Capt Amarinder has made up his mind to put an end to all such unconstitutional measures and to depoliticise civil and police administration of Punjab.
“Few occurrences during the past days are indicative of this positive change. like, it is for the first time in many years that close aides of ruling party MlA Raja Warring, have been booked under criminal sections for assaulting and wrongful confinement of a vernacular journalist Shivraj Singh Raju. I am happy to note that the Chief Minister has directed the Muktsar police to ensure justice to the aggrieved journalist and has at the same time warned his party men not to interfere in the working of police,” he said.
Similarly, the Chief Minister has also pulled up his party MlA from Khadoor Sahib Ramanjit Singh Sikki, for publically threatening the police to work in accordance with the wishes of his supporters, he said adding that the Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had to tender a public apology for misbehaving with a lady principal of a school over the issue of a foundation stone.
Besides warning his partymen, the Chief Minister has also directed police and civil officials not to buckle under political pressure and to carry out their work on merit, he added.
“In the same breath, I also appreciate Capt Amarinder’s initiative to scrap “halqa-incharge” system, ban red beacons and do away with the foundation stones ceremonies,” he said.
At the same time, Khaira urged Capt Amarinder to reconsider the large number appointments of Advisors, OSDs etc, which will not only burden the already devastated public exchequer but also amount to overriding the existing top heavy executive of Punjab.
“I also expect that the Chief Minister and his Ministers will not misuse the state helicopter for personal whims and fancies and they would honour their pre poll election manifesto promise in this regard,” he added.