PHAGWARA: Miffed over not being invited to a virtual state-level function for commemorating the birth Anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, former Punjab minister and now Punjab Agro Industries Corporation chairman Joginder Singh Mann has complained against Phagwara administration to chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, asking asked him to reign in the bureaucracy by taking action against the responsible officials.
He has pointed out in his letter that a circular from chief minister’s office issued on April 12 had clearly mentioned that along with MPs and MLAs, chairpersons of boards, corporations, zila parishad etc were also to be invited at the various venues of the virtual event.
“Phagwara administration has blatantly ignored representatives of public by not extending invitation to majority of public representatives and Congress leaders, including him, for the event to mark celebrations,” he said in his letter to the CM.
If this attitude of officers continues then the day is not far when Congress party will have to face its adverse consequences, he wrote, asking, "If the Congress leaders and workers are to be ignored in such events, where does the Congress government stand in the state?"
Mann mentioned that he had been a member of Punjab cabinet, three-time MLA from Phagwara and currently chairman of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and till now he has been receiving invitation from the governor house, district administration and others.
But, it is surprising that Phagwara administration has blatantly ignored him along with other Congress workers that too when their party is in power, he said.
"Phagwara administration has willfully neglected us for the celebrations which deserves exemplary punishment so that it acts as a deterrent for others in future” he added.
He said that with around six months left for elections in the state, how does the party expect to comeback if the officers will behave in such a dictatorial manner.
Expressing hope that the chief minister will intervene in the matter to uphold the respect and integrity of the public representatives by ensuring strict action against the laxity on part of officers, he said, “In my entire political career spanning over more than four decades, I haven’t seen such an autocrat and shameless working of bureaucracy and as a staunch Congressmen it is totally intolerable for me."