Accusing the Badal family of “monopolising” transport and other businesses in the State, Congress Deputy leader in lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said that he would “close down” the family businesses if his party comes to power in Punjab in 2017.
“Today, I promise you that come 2017, I will close down Orbit Transport and Dabwali Transport Company owned by Chief Minister Parkash
Singh Badal’s family,” said Capt Amarinder while addressing a rally organised by senior
party leader and ex-Minister Darshan Singh Brar at Bagha Purana.
Capt Amarinder pointed out that the Badals have “monopolised” everything from transport business to cable and sand mining. “Their other businesses will also be closed down to create job avenues and business opportunities for the thousands of unemployed youth in the State,” he said.
The former Chief Minister also promised to punish drug peddlers and corrupt officials saying that they were the worst enemies of Punjab.
Spelling out the agenda of the next State Government,Amritsar MP said that besides formulating policies to usher in progress in Punjab, he would also ensure that those responsible for drug problem would be shown no mercy.
He said that those who indulged in corruption and robbed Punjab of its precious resources would also be brought to justice.
“I can forgive anyone, but not those who pushed Punjab into drug addiction and looted its resources,” he said.
Senior Congress leader warned against the Food Corporation of India (FCI) stopping the purchase of wheat and paddy in Punjab and asked Badal to make public the measures he plans to procure paddy expected in mandis soon.
He warned that in case paddy met the same fate as wheat in the previous Rabi season, it might lead to “social unrest”.
“If the farmers’ produce is not purchased in time, it can lead to law and order problem in the State and the blame will lie on the Chief Minister,” he said.