Punjab CM not taking action in scholarship scam: Sukhbir Badal

FAZILKA: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday alleged that Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh was not taking any action in the post-matric scholarship scam because the proceeds of the crime had been shared with the Congress high command. He announced that SAD would order an independent inquiry into the scam once it came to power in Punjab.
Talking to mediapersons at Ghuriana village during a visit to the rain-affected areas of Jalalabad and Balluana assembly constituencies, the SAD president said the probe into the scam by the additional chief secretary had not only revealed how SC welfare minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had swindled Rs 63 crore meant for Dalit students, but also exposed the role of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee as well as the party high command in the scam.
He further said, “It seems former SC welfare director Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal was rewarded with a Congress ticket from Phagwara during the byelection held last year within days of approving the distribution of Rs 19.61 crore to ineligible private educational institutions. This, apparently, is also the reason why the CM is trying to put a lid on the scam through a sham probe.”
The Ferozepur MP rejected the chief secretary-level inquiry ordered into the case, saying that the earlier indictment of Dharamsot and Dhaliwal had been done by an officer of similar seniority, who was heading the SC welfare department. He said only a CBI inquiry coupled with an Enforcement Directorate probe could expose the culprits and reveal the money trail in the case.
The SAD chief also visited more than 12 rain-hit villages in Jalalabad and Balluana assembly constituencies. He said even though crops in thousands of acres had been destroyed, the Congress government was unmoved. “No officer has been deputed to listen to the grievances of the people. No compensation has been awarded to them. No effort is being made to install pipes to drain out water from the affected fields,” Sukhbir said.