Taking umbrage at the rejection of Punjab police’s proposal to purchase new armoured luxury Sedan for the former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SAD president Sukhbir Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday lambasted Punjab Government, especially the Finance Minister Manpreet Badal , for “compromising”
the security of senior Punjab leaders.
“The security cover is provided in consideration of threat perception to individuals and Manpreet has vetoed the proposal caring too hoots for the security concerns,” said SAD spokesman Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal.
He accused Manpreet of “playing petty politics” with the lives of those who had dedicated every bit of their life for the state and also happen to be his mentor and blood relations.
Notably, Punjab police had mooted the proposal to replace ageing Toyota Land Cruiser in the security fleet of Badal and Sukhbir. Besides, the police also sought new bullet proof vehicles for former minister Bikram Singh Majithia as these vehicles had outlived their utility and can no more be used for sensitive security operations.
“Throwing all security concerns to winds, Manpreet rejected the proposal on the ground of that Badals and Majithias are the richest people and can afford bullet proof vehicles and should not depend on the State Government. Besides, Manpreet argued that the state is in bad fiscal health and is on austerity drive,” pointed Grewal.
Lambasting Manpreet’s “preposterous and fallacious” argument, Grewal said that some Congress men have been provided Z-category for generations keeping in view of their security perception and SAD or its government never questioned the spending on their security.
Moreover, Grewal pointed out that if the economic prosperity of an individual is guiding principle for deploying security to threatened personalities, then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh or Manpreet himself too are stinking rich and should immediately make their personal security arrangements.
“But Ironically, Manpreet himself had sanctioned funds last year to upgrade the fleet of Amarinder Singh comprising Range Rover, Innovas and Gypsies...Strangely, when this was pointed to Manpreet, he had sheepish acknowledged saying that only CM’s fleet was upgraded,” said Grewal.
Grewal pointed that the proposal has been submitted by the Punjab police after evaluating the threat perception and the demand for replacement of old redundant vehicles from security perspective is flagged by responsible high police official.