Chandigarh: The continuing tussle between Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit and chief minister Bhagwant Mann escalated on Monday, with the previous questioning a state authorities appointment and the collection of college principals for a coaching journey to Singapore. It drew a pointy response from Mann who stated his authorities is just answerable to Punjabis and never a Centre-appointed governor.
The most recent row erupted after Purohit shot off a letter to the chief minister asking for particulars on the collection of authorities college principals despatched to Singapore for a coaching seminar, saying he has obtained complaints of “malpractices and illegalities”.
The governor additionally questioned the appointment of Gurinderjit Singh Jawanda because the Punjab Info and Communication Know-how Company Restricted chairman, declaring that his identify figured in a kidnapping and property grabbing case.
Claiming that Mann “by no means cared to answer” to his letters prior to now, the governor informed the CM that individuals didn’t elect him to run the state in line with his “whims and fancies” and that as per the Structure, he’s “sure to furnish” any data sought by Raj Bhavan.
He requested Mann to answer to his letter inside a fortnight, failing which he would search authorized recommendation for additional motion.
Mann, nevertheless, taking to Twitter, stated his authorities is accountable solely to 30 million residents of the state.
“Honourable Governor Sir, your letter was obtained via the media… all the problems talked about within the letter are State topics… In keeping with the Structure, I and my authorities are accountable to three crore (30 million) Punjabis and never any governor appointed by the central authorities,” Mann stated in a tweet in Punjabi. “Deal with this as my reply.”
The Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP)-led Punjab authorities had despatched 36 authorities college principals to an expert trainer coaching seminar in Singapore from February 6 to 10.
“I’ve obtained complaints in respect to the collection of principals for sending them to Singapore for coaching,”
the governor stated in his letter. “The complainants level out sure malpractices and illegalities within the collection of these principals. The allegation is that there is no such thing as a transparency.”
“I, due to this fact, request you to ship me the factors and particulars of complete choice course of. Please additionally give element if it was broadly printed all through Punjab,” Purohit added. “As per information studies… the primary batch has come again, (so) please let me have particulars of whole expenditure incurred on travelling and boarding lodging and bills in direction of coaching.”
The connection between the state authorities and Raj Bhavan has remained strained since September final 12 months when Purohit withdrew permission to the AAP authorities to convene a particular session of the meeting for a belief vote. A political slugfest had erupted then with the AAP management crying foul and calling it a “homicide of democracy”.
Additional in his letter, Purohit expressed displeasure over Mann selecting to “ignore” his letters prior to now. He stated he didn’t reveal his earlier letters to the press to keep up cordial relations between the CM’s workplace and Raj Bhavan, however he was “compelled” to take action now as “it seems to me that you’ve got determined to disregard my letters”.
“Despite my detailed letter dated 14-12-2022, you selected to disregard all misdeeds of Kuldeep Singh Chahal, IPS. You haven’t solely promoted him but additionally posted him as Jalandhar commissioner and that too the orders being issued simply earlier than twenty sixth January, figuring out very properly that governor is to unfurl the nationwide flag at Jalandhar,” Purohit stated. “On this challenge, it appears that evidently this officer was your blue-eyed boy and also you selected to disregard info that had been delivered to your discover by this workplace,” he charged.
Chahal, a Punjab-cadre IPS officer, was faraway from the submit of Chandigarh SSP, for his alleged “misconduct” final 12 months. He was promoted to the rank of deputy inspector common after he was despatched again to Punjab.
In a letter dated January 4, Purohit stated, he wrote concerning the presence of a non-appointee of the federal government, Naval Aggarwal, in conferences of senior officers the place delicate and confidential issues associated to the nation’s safety had been mentioned.
The ties between the governor and Mann have been frayed since September final 12 months when Purohit withdrew permission to the AAP authorities to convene a particular session of the meeting ffor a belief vote. A political slugfest had erupted then with the AAP management crying foul and calling it a “homicide of democracy”.
In October, Purohit had requested Mann to take away Punjab Agricultural College vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal from the submit, saying he was appointed with out following College Grants Fee norms and approval of the chancellor. Mann had hit again accusing Purohit of often “interfering” within the functioning of his authorities.