Farmers Movement Archive

Not Channi, but it’s ‘changi’ sarkar: Punjab CM presents report card on his 72-day tenure

Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday said that he was not someone who made mere announcements as nearly 60 pro-people decisions and initiatives were taken by the Congress government in the state since he took over and all of them were implemented.Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, he said, “People say it is ‘Channi sarkar’, but I am nobody. I say this is ‘changi sarkar’ (good government).” He shared details of development works and initiatives taken by the state government after he assumed the charge as CM in September, replacing Amarinder Singh. “I am not ‘ailaanjeet’ (one who only makes announcements). I am ‘vishwasjeet’ (one who wins people’s trust),” he added.“I am here to give a report card before people. We formed government to serve people. We will work with full honesty and transparency. I will not break people’s trust,” he said.Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Channi said those who do not know anything about Punjab are questioning them about “aam aadmi”. They would not give anything where they have their government and making “false promises” with people of Punjab to “grab” power, he alleged.“We made power cheaper from November 1 by ₹3 per unit for those having load up to 7 kW. In Punjab, power is the cheapest in the entire India, I am making this claim, let anyone counter me,” said Channi, accusing rivals of “misleading” people.His political rivals, he said, were misleading the public because the bills recently issued were for October and the relief will get reflected in the coming bills, he said. ‘Only a Punjabi will govern Punjab’ Reacting to the criticism by the Aam admi party (AAP) over his recently made remark ‘kala angrez’ (black Englishman) against AAP convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Channi said that the people of Punjab do not want an outsider to run the government in the state. “Also, he can’t fulfill the aspirations of Punjabis and doesn’t understand Punjabi culture and ethos. Punjabis don’t want Rs. 1,000. If he wanted to make an announcement just for the sake of it he would have announced ₹5,000 monthly honorarium,” he said. Channi said comparisons cannot be drawn between him and Kejriwal. “How can he compare himself with me? I am a true Punjabi, he’s an outsider. He can’t compete with me in understanding Punjab, its requirements, culture and ethos,” Channi said. Facing criticism, especially from the AAP over not showing any “zero” amount electricity bills, Channi said bills of 22 lakh households, who have connected load of up to 1 kilowatt and up to 200 units of consumption, are zero.Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal last month had brought 1 lakh “zero” amount Delhi electricity bills and dared Channi to show even 1,000 such bills of his state. “A party chief (Kejriwal) has asked to show a single zero bill. I will show you lakhs of them in Punjab. All electricity arrears of households who have connected load up to 2 kW have been waived,” he said.Referring to Kejriwal’s announcement of giving ₹1,000 per month to women above 18 if his party comes to power, Channi asked him to first implement it in the national capital. “There (Delhi) he will not give anything, here he says ₹1,000 will be given. Are we fools?” he said.Facing criticism on sand rates, Channi said the rates have been fixed at ₹5.50 per cubic feet and anyone could procure at this rate from the quarry. He said his government was also considering reducing the transportation rates for sand.Evades reply on drug case On a query on the drug issue, the CM evaded reply, as according to him, the matter was in the Punjab and Haryana high court. “Please do not ask anything on drugs as it has bearing on the case in the court,” he said. Slamming the Shiromani Akali Dal over the farm laws, he said, “The SAD is mother of these laws. They passed a law of contract farming first and they showed it to their (erstwhile) ally BJP, which later brought farm laws.”On Punjab Congress chief Navjot Sidhu, who has been targeting his own government over some issues, Channi said all issues will be resolved. “We are working under the party and we have to implement the policies of the party,” he said. Whether he sees himself as chief ministerial face for the elections, Channi said, “No. I did not see it earlier as well. My party made me (the CM). I was neither a candidate nor am I now. Whatever the party decides I abide by it,” he said.

Hindustan Times

03-12-2021

Chandigarh