“Not a Penny in the Government’s Coffers, Yet the Mann Government Continues to Splurge on Lavish Fairs”: Vijay Sampla

Spending 98% of revenue on salaries, pensions, interest payments and power subsidies is alarming; where will the money for development projects come from?

Chandigarh, October 9:Senior BJP leader Vijay Sampla expressed concern over reports indicating that more than 98% of Punjab’s revenue receipts are being spent on salaries, pensions, interest payments and power subsidies. He questioned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Arvind Kejriwal, asking what had happened to the promises made before the elections to increase Punjab’s revenue.
In a statement issued from the Chandigarh office, Sampla said the government’s present situation could aptly be described as, “Not a penny in the pocket, yet the Mann government keeps throwing lavish fairs.” He questioned how the government was continuing to run its free schemes when, according to the report, almost its entire revenue was already being consumed by committed expenditures.
Sampla said the findings of the report titled “State of Punjab: Data Story of 15 Years” raise serious questions about the state’s financial position. He pointed out that before the elections, people had been given assurances that Punjab’s economy would be strengthened and its revenue increased. The government must now explain what concrete steps have been taken to fulfil those promises.
He asked how the government would arrange funds for schools, hospitals, roads, infrastructure and new employment opportunities if almost the entire revenue was being spent on existing commitments. Does the government have any concrete plan to increase the state’s revenue and reduce its debt burden?
Referring to the figures showing that the unemployment rate among graduate youth in Punjab increased from 13.1% in 2017–18 to 16.9% in 2023–24, Sampla said the government must also answer questions concerning the future of the state’s youth.
He demanded that the Punjab government release a white paper on the state’s financial position and present its plan to the public for increasing revenue, rationalising expenditure and mobilising additional resources for development projects.
Sampla said the people of Punjab have every right to know how much progress has been made in fulfilling the promises made to them and what steps the government intends to take to strengthen the state’s economy.

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BJP OBC Morcha’s New State Team Seeks Guidance from Kewal Singh Dhillon and National President Amarpal Maurya

Team geared up to take party’s policies and Centre’s achievements to every household

Chandigarh, October 9-The newly elected state team of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s OBC Morcha held a meeting under the leadership of its state president, Shivraj Chaudhary. On the occasion, all members of the team received blessings and guidance from BJP Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon and OBC Morcha national president Amarpal Maurya. The Morcha’s co-in-charge, Sagar Raika, was also present.
Addressing the meeting, OBC Morcha national president Amarpal Maurya congratulated the newly elected state team and urged its members to work with dedication, hard work and commitment to take the party’s policies and ideology to the people. He said the active participation of every worker and effective coordination among team members were crucial to strengthening the organisation.

BJP Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon also congratulated the new team and shared his views on the prevailing situation in Punjab, key public issues and the need to further strengthen the party organisation at the grassroots level. He said the need of the hour was to move forward as a united team with a common mission of ensuring prosperity in Punjab and progress for every section of society. Dhillon said the situation in Punjab was worrying on several fronts and people across different sections of society were disappointed with the performance of the Aam Aadmi Party government. He said people were looking towards the BJP with hopes of a better future, development and prosperity.

He called upon OBC Morcha leaders and workers to reach out to people, understand their problems and take the party’s public-oriented policies and the achievements of the Union government to every household. Keeping the forthcoming elections in view, Dhillon urged Morcha workers to intensify their activities from now onwards so that the party’s policies and its message of development could reach every section of society. He also stressed the need to accelerate organisational activities and strengthen direct engagement with the public.

On the occasion, OBC Morcha state president Shivraj Chaudhary felicitated BJP Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon and national president Amarpal Maurya. He assured the senior party leadership that the Morcha would work with full dedication to disseminate the party’s policies, strengthen the organisation and bring people from all sections of society into the party’s fold. Chaudhary said the OBC Morcha would play a significant role in ensuring the BJP’s victory in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections and in forming the party’s government in the state.

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AAP leaders’ rush to courts is proof of their wrongdoing: Sunil Jakhar

Says Aam Aadmi Party’s “looters” have begun fleeing Punjab

Chandigarh, October 9-Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Friday took a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, questioning why its leaders were rushing to the High Court and the Supreme Court if, as they claimed, they had committed no wrongdoing. Jakhar alleged that AAP leaders’ decision to challenge the CBI investigation in court was itself evidence that they had something to hide. He said they had received no relief from the courts so far and were seeking only to delay the proceedings.

“They know that if the investigation moves forward, it is bound to reach the real masterminds behind the loot of Punjab,” he said.
In a message shared on social media, Jakhar wrote: bhajdian nu rah nahi labhani (“Those fleeing will find no escape!”)

He said the AAP government in Punjab had received no immediate relief from either the High Court or the Supreme Court following the start of the CBI action. “As a result, Aam Aadmi Party’s looters occupying Punjab ministers’ offices and government offices have begun packing their bags,” he alleged. “Ministers should also start preparing to return to their official residences. They are about to get their homes back,” Jakhar added.