Chandigarh, March 21(Punjab khabarnama) : As the toll of deaths caused by the illicit liquor in Dirba rose to eight today, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Partap Singh Bajwa on Thursday rebuked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant for his failure to fix responsibility for the tragedy and seek the resignation of Excise Minister.
“Both CM Bhagwant Mann and Excise Minister Harpal Singh Cheema have not uttered a single word ever since the incident took place. The entire party has kept mum on the issue. They have not even paid a visit to the families of the deceased people and those who have been hospitalized. It shows their insensitivity toward the loss of precious lives”, Bajwa added.
Senior Congress Leader, Bajwa said that Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann once endorsed FIR under section 302 in such cases. Meanwhile, he must answer why can’t a case be lodged under section 302 against the Excise Minister.
“Dirba assembly segment is being represented by the Harpal Singh Cheema and it comes under Sangrur, home district of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. How did they let the trade of illicit liquor happen in that particular region? If the situation of Punjab CM’s home district and Excise Minister’s assembly segment is as grim, one easily assess the situation of the illicit liquor trade in the rest of the state”, Bajwa added.
The opposition leader said that now the onus is on Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to fix the responsibility of the Excise Minister and at least ask the Excise Minister to step down.
