Congress party on Tuesday demanded white paper on all the communications between the Punjab Government and the Centre on the issue of loan waiver to the State. “All communications…all correspondence regarding the loan waiver between the Centre and the State should be placed on the bale of the house or issue a white paper on that,” demanded Congress legislative Party (ClP) leader Sunil Jakhar while participating in the debate on budget proposals.
Pointing that there was “credibility deficit” along with revenue and fiscal deficit in the state, Jakhar asked the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal to add one more in his band of “advisors” who would keep a track of the promises you make.
Jakhar also attempted to clear the “misconception” that the state would get increased funds after change in devolution formula of central taxes. “State used to get funds from the centre under two heads, that is its hare from the central taxes, and second through central schemes…As the Centre has cut down State’s share in its central schemes, we would suffer a loss of Rs5000 crore from that,” pointed Jakhar quoting figures.
He added, “With the increase in State’s share in central taxes, the State would get Rs1,500 crore more…but if we look at overall figures from the centre, we are set to suffer a loss of Rs3500 crore.” Taking a dig at “Badal’s adamancy”, Jakhar said that having Chief Minister’s picture on the ambulances has cost the state Rs 23.80 crore.
Jakhar, talking about state’s mounting debt, said that every child born in Punjab is coming into this world with a debt burden of Rs9.85. “What kind of life are we giving to themIJ” wondered Jakhar.