Punjab was ignored in this year’s budget: Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi
New Delhi: Apna Punjab Media: Congress leader in Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Channi accused the central government of imposing ‘undeclared emergency’ in the country. While taking part in the debate on the budget, he and BJP leader and Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu also clashed. Meanwhile, the proceedings of the House had to be stopped twice. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded a courtesy motion against Channi. Former Chief Minister Channi held the BJP government responsible for declaring farmers as Khalistani. He said that Punjab has been ignored in this year’s budget.
There was a huge uproar over personal comments made between Channi and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu regarding railways and food processing industries. Channi mentioned the murder of Bittu’s grandfather and former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. This led to a heated argument between Bittu, who had left the Congress and joined the BJP before the elections, and Channi. Bittu made personal remarks against Channi and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, which created an uproar. Channi told Bittu, โYour grandfather was a martyr, but he died when you left the Congress. On this Bittu said, “My grandfather Beant Singh sacrificed his life not for the Congress but for the country.” He described Channi as the most corrupt person of Punjab. In view of the uproar, the proceedings of the House were adjourned for half an hour till 2 pm.
During his address in the Lok Sabha, Channi accused the government of creating an emergency-like situation. Channi said, “This is not a budget to save the country but to save the government.” He did not find any solution to the floods in Punjab nor did he increase the wages. Punjab has been ignored in the budget. Jalandhar was declared a smart city but there is still a problem of dirty water and drugs. Channi also raised the issue of the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, action by central agencies against opposition leaders and alleged misbehavior with farmers, women athletes and journalists. The Congress leader also mentioned the long-running unrest in Manipur and the Hathras gang rape case. He said, ‘The country is facing an undeclared emergency and BJP is responsible for it. When farmers protest for their legitimate demands, they are called Khalistani. This is also an emergency. Pointing to the absence of the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister from the House, Channi said that they have run out of ideas because the central government has been in power for 10 years. Their seats are vacant. They should tell the budget but there is nothing there. This shows your seriousness.
