BJP mouthpiece hits out at govt, Badals

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The editorial goes on to state that the actions of some officials and incidents involving the Orbit Bus Company, in which the Badals have a substantial stake, were causing problems for BJP workers in the state. The reference is to the incident in Moga district where a girl died after allegedly being thrown out of a moving bus belonging to Orbit.

The editorial also points out that MLAs have handed in written complaints against 33 government officials to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker. “If the officials do not listen to the MLAs and ministers then what must be the condition of the general public?” it asks. Urging the chief minister to address the issue with seriousness, the magazine says the maximum complaints pertain to the revenue and the police departments.

Toll plazas on state highways have also come in for adverse comments. Asking the government to end the “loot by toll plazas in the state”, the editorial highlights, what it termed, are positive steps taken by the BJP government in neighbouring Haryana, where several toll plazas have been shut down. “However, there are daily reports of fights taking place at toll plazas in Punjab due to which the state government is getting a bad name,” it says.

The editorial has also praised the BJP government in Haryana for implementing the Anand Marriage Act for Sikhs and has pointed out that in Punjab, the issue is still under consideration.