‘Samples of water from state will be examined’

Badal,however,expressed concern at the presence of metals like uranium and arsenic in water. While saying that he had earlier held a meeting with R K Sinha,Secretary (Department of Atomic Energy),to discuss the problem,the chief minister added that a team of experts will visit the state on July 11 to look into the matter.

Other MLAs,like Balbir Singh Sidhu and Rakesh Pandey also raised the issue in the Assembly. “The water samples in Mohali had failed the test with the water found not fit for drinking. Impurities were found much higher than the permissible limit,” said Sidhu. Pandey,on the other hand,asked why water supply to cities through overhead tanks had been stopped.

The contaminated water problem plagues Malwa region. Cancer cases in the region have also been linked to the quality of water that is available to the residents.

‘FRBM Act breached,Sukhbir to decide taxes,this is no Budget’

As he led the Opposition charge to conclude the budget debate,Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar was both unsparing in his criticism of the government and emotional while seeking collective responsibility for Punjab’s progress. He cornered the SAD-BJP government by accusing it of “breach of law and privilege of the House” in violating its own Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act,2005,which was amended in 2011 to contain fiscal deficit to 3.5 per cent of the GSDP in years 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13.

“ However,the Budget presented by the Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa has estimated the revenue deficit for the year 2011-12 at 3.8 per cent of the GSDP. The government has broken its own law rendering the budget illegal,” Jakhar said,while demanding an explanation from the finance minister.

The unexpected salvo led to a flurry of activity in the treasury benches with Revenue Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia,handling the alliance’s floor strategy in absence of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal,exchanging notes and going out for private parleys with Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh and Finance Secretary Satish Chandra. As Jakhar trashed the Budget as being fudged and stated that the Congress would not be a party to passing it,Dhindsa said the FRBM Act was passed by the state on the Centre’s advice to rein in both revenue and fiscal deficits. It was later amended as per the roadmap prescribed by the 13th Finance Commission and though the state has slipped on targets,it will be able to meet them this year,he added.

Later,Majithia said the Union Government had also missed its targets on both the deficits and it is not being seen as breach of the Act. To end the impasse,Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal got up and said that as the Budget has already been passed by the cabinet,it was their and his own responsibility. “If you do not wish to become a part of it,it is your call,” the chief minister said.

Jakhar then went on to corner the FM on admitting that the Budget was not a tax-free one.

“At the press briefing after the budget,the FM was at pains to explain that resource mobilisation measures will be decided after Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal is back from his foreign visit and consensus is generated among the allies. Is the CM not capable to approve new taxes. If taxes have to come after the Dasuya bypoll,then this is no Budget,” Jakhar added.

Here,he drew a parallel with former state finance ministers saying their seats were always next to the chief minister. “But this FM has been pushed to the other end. He has been made a scapegoat as there was no one willing to head an empty treasury,”Jakhar said.

He alleged that the cash-starved government had resorted to 138 days of overdraft against 5-7 days by other states,as per RBI report on states. “Also,to mop up resources the rural water supply has been cut and farmers are being made to pay abiana for use of canal water. While the ruling combine talks of creating an industry-friendly state,inspectors are harassing industrialists,” he added. He also said the allocations for pension and shagun scheme are inadequate. Highlighting the problems of the agriculture sector,he said its contribution to GSDP should be brought down,diversification should be given a push and the root cause of farmer suicides should be addressed,a pressing reason for which is that they take loans at exorbitant rates from commission agents.

He ended on an emotional note saying: “Let’s have politics of consensus to resolve Punjab’s issues. The aggressive posturing against the Centre and accusing it of discrimination is not going to lead the state anywhere. I am ready to hold the bouquet when a joint delegation goes to the Centre with its wish list for the state,” he added.