A case for redemption of Punjab

Editorial By- Sukhpreet Giani

In another two weeks, five states of India would be going to polls. Media is in frenzy and is keeping its focus on the fight between Yadav father and Son in Uttar Pradesh, as if that’s the only party facing the ballots. Whereas on the North West end of the country, a state is fighting for its survival, but doesn’t find a mention anywhere.

The state that was instrumental for the green revolution, contributed in an exemplary manner in the white revolution, took pride in sending highest number of men to the armed forces and was in the forefront in the field of sports, has now been reduced to a status of “have not”. The leaders of the state have been abetting the ill cause, avoiding debate; the national media not addressing the problem a due time shows that none of the stakeholders care two hoots about the Punjab. That state of Punjab is now known for unemployed youth and drugs.  What an image of the great state!

Industry in Punjab moved to Himachal Pradesh as the entrepreneurs found the ruling SAD-BJP government not providing a conducive business environment, with highest rate for power to supplement the freebees given to the farmers –their most trusted vote bank.  The sand mafia which on number of occasions has been traced to the top in the political hierarchy of the state has played its role in taking the state backwards by years. The ruling alliance of Akali Dal –BJP takes pride in highlighting the improved infrastructure in the form of better road connectivity and highways. It would not take a call to improve the condition of the educational institutions-schools without proper building, lacking drinkable water, and sitting arrangements for the students. Any corrupt government would like to spend more on roads, bridges and highways as each project is worth thousands of crores whereas building and maintaining of a schools is just a few lakh of rupees.

Exchequers remained empty throughout the SAD-BJP rule. Salary to teachers would only come after three months. The reasons were evident, the government run transport department had nothing much to dobecause the Badal family and many other Akaliswere running their own premium bus services.

Comptroller and Auditor General on many occasions had pointed towards heavy borrowings by Punjab government agencies to raise money for the government.Jail complexes, hospital buildings and home for widows, offices and court complexes in districts and some urban enclaves in cities and town have been mortgaged to raise money to have liquid cash to pay salaries and take care of other expenses. On the other hand the ruling family has grown from rich to richer. From a host of private bus companies, cable business across the state, a TV channel that only sings laurels of the ruling family and the parties associated with it, the ruling family among other things has been accused of using their political clout to further their business interests. In May this year, “Sukhvilas”was openednear the state capital Chandigarh. A luxury facility spread over 8000 acres. The luxury facility having suites and villas equipped with high end features like private pools dot the area is managed by the Oberoi group and owned by Metro Eco Green Resorts in which the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and his wife Harsimrat Kaur have majority stakes. The costliest villa is available for Rs 5 lakh per night, has a 6 lane highway connecting it. The area around remains in a depilated state. While the average Punjabi has suffered, the ruling family has made millions!

Another issue that the ruling alliance has always tried to avoid is the drug menace. The government has done best to deny the allegation of drug use and involvement of some of its ministers. However, the opening of the drug -addiction centres in the various districts only contradicts the claims of the governments. According to a study by All India Institute of Medical Sciences, it has been highlighted that Punjab spends more than Rs 7000 crores on drugs. The state also consumes about 29 crores of bottles of alcohol.

The frustration with the ruling party is evident in the political circles too, with many prominent leaders ditching the party.  The Election Daythis time will be a day for the emancipation of Punjab. The concern is very much evident with many nonresident Punjabis now heading to Punjab to ensure that a change of government takes place this time. Youth this time has come out openly against the corrupt parties and could make a major call for redemption of Punjab.