Latest news with #SunilJakhar
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP's Sunil Jakhar says AAP removed key clause of land acquisition law, SAD asks about money for policy
Chandigarh: Reacting to the Punjab cabinet approving a new land pooling policy on Monday, opposition parties Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal criticised the incumbent AAP govt, with the BJP calling it a "bait" to "bleed Punjab" and SAD terming it a "scheme of corruption. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " Hitting out at AAP, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said, "I believe Punjab was used as an ATM from where they took out money. Now the central leaders of AAP from Delhi plan to use Punjab as a private bank." On provisions in the policy as announced by the govt that farmers will get back a part of the land which they can use for developing group housing projects, Jakhar said, "This is a bait. The intent is clear, and they want to bleed Punjab of its money by treating it as a milch cow. Punjab needs to be saved from this." Jakhar said AAP govt "removed" a key clause of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013, which otherwise could act as a "safety valve" to safeguard farmers' interests. The LARR Act, 2013, requires that the consent of 80% of landowners be obtained for private projects and that the consent of 70% of landowners be obtained for public-private partnership (PPP) projects. The govt proposed to exempt five special categories that were created, namely defence, rural infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial corridors, and infrastructure projects, including PPP projects where the govt owns the land. SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said govt will take possession of farmers' land, but there is no guarantee as to when it could be developed. "It took several years for Ludhiana to expand beyond Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And the govt plans to acquire 25,000 acres. There will be no habitation in such a vast area for years. From where will this much population come to live in such a huge area? If acquired, farmers will lose their livelihood. Not only farmers, but those in allied agriculture activities, those dealing in agri implements and fertilisers, for instance, would also get hit. It will also directly or indirectly impact landless labourers and the dalit community," he added. Cheema asked the govt where was the money to develop the land it proposed to acquire. "If Rs 1 crore would be required to develop an acre of land, from where will Rs 25,000 crore come for developing 25,000 acres of land? AAP promises like giving Rs 1,000 per month to women remain unfulfilled. The Centre even cut the borrowing limit of the state to take loans. This scheme was, practically, rolled out for corruption. This is aimed at enabling the middlemen from Delhi to make money. Otherwise, there is no justification for it," he said.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Let CBI probe Amritsar hooch tragedy: Punjab BJP to governor
A Punjab BJP delegation, led by party's state chief Sunil Jakhar, on Monday met governor Gulab Chand Kataria, pressing that the CBI probe into the Delhi excise policy case must also cover the Amritsar hooch tragedy, drawing condemnation from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang who accused Jakhar of using the deaths caused by spurious liquor in Majitha for political gain. The BJP delegation submitted a memorandum that also sought a probe into links of 'AAP's Punjab leadership with liquor mafia running amok in the state'. The delegation said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must be asked to undertake a thorough probe to expose this 'nexus'. Terming it as an avoidable tragedy, the delegation said that the quotas distributed under the liquor policy introduced by AAP in Punjab on lines of Delhi excise policy must also be probed to ascertain who got the 'illegal benefits and to what extent'. A probe into the quantum of foreign liquor quota permitted and lifted by liquor contractors of Punjab each year since July 2022 has also been sought. Responding to a query, Jakhar said while referring to the CBI investigation into the Delhi excise policy that raids were conducted in Punjab too as part of the CBI probe. He demanded that the ongoing CBI inquiry must be sped up so that role of Punjab AAP leaders could also be brought before public and guilty be brought to justice. 'The Narcotics Control Bureau must also be roped in to ascertain illegal proceeds and the ambit of this CBI inquiry must be widened to include Amritsar hooch tragedy,' Jakhar added. The memorandum also demanded a probe into AAP's Delhi-based leaders having been allowed 'official houses in Chandigarh' and also about their presence in official government meetings. The delegation included former minister Manoranjan Kalia, MLA Jangi Lal Mahajan, Punjab BJP general secretary Parminder Brar, Jagmohan Singh Raju, Amarpal Singh Bonny Ajnala, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna and Rajbir Sharma among others. Meanwhile, AAP MP Kang alleged, 'Jakhar is resorting to such tactics to establish himself within the BJP as his position seems fragile.' He said the Punjab government took swift action, holding multiple officials, including contractors, excise officers and cops, accountable. He said that 16 arrests were made. 'It is the central government's responsibility to regulate the supply of methanol, which is a national concern,' he added. The hooch tragedy had left over 20 people dead.
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Punjab BJP chief seeks probe into Amritsar hooch tragedy, alleges AAP-liquor mafia nexus
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 19 (ANI): Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday submitted a memorandum to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, demanding a probe into the Amritsar hooch tragedy and alleging links between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the liquor mafia in the state. The memorandum described the Majitha incident, in which 27 people reportedly died after consuming spurious liquor, as a 'tragedy of mammoth human proportions.' 'The avoidable tragedy of mammoth human proportions - 27 human lives have perished - has taken place due to the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP regime's well-known intent to not only harbour elements of the liquor mafia but also to profit from their criminal misdeeds,' the memorandum stated. The BJP pointed out that a similar incident occurred in March 2024 in Sangrur, the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting a pattern of administrative failure. Jakhar claimed the incident was preventable and alleged political patronage of illegal liquor networks by the ruling AAP government. He also urged the Governor to order a time-bound inquiry into the AAP's alleged ties with the liquor mafia and to investigate whether Punjab's excise system is being exploited for personal gains. 'The horrible incident and precious loss of lives in the Hooch Tragedy at Majitha in Amritsar district has shaken the conscience of every Punjabi. BJP Punjab leadership is appalled at the human magnitude of this AAP-made tragedy and has been constrained to write to you through this delegation, Sir, as you are the Custodian of our State, and to seek your personal attention in this matter with the request to order a time bound enquiry into AAP's links with liquor mafia and its patronage of the same with a motive to exploit Punjab's excise for their personal profit as illegal gratification,' he said. The memorandum also drew parallels with the Delhi Excise Policy case, stating that top AAP leaders had been previously accused of alleged liquor-related irregularities. He also criticised Chief Minister Mann's recent statement that 99 per cent of villages in Punjab are free of drugs, questioning whether the spurious liquor crisis was being overlooked in such claims. 'The instant tragedy ironically has taken place while the AAP Government under Chief Minister Bhagwan Mann aggressively proclaims from every political rooftop a victory against the menace of drug abuse. The Chief Minister, only a day before yesterday, once again exhibited grave insensitivity and declared that 99% of Punjab villages are free of the drug menace! May be the present Hooch tragedy forced CM to stay short of that perfect 100% drug-free claim. Or maybe the Chief Minister himself and his government do not count spurious liquor menace equally deadly like abuse of drugs,' Jakhar said in his memorandum. He also raised concerns over reported methanol poisoning symptoms among the victims and said that the incident had occurred during heightened border security, raising questions about the state police's functioning. He appealed to the Governor to order time-bound action to 'ascertain the truth for every Punjabi' and ensure accountability. (ANI)
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP leader Sunil Jakhar demands special economic package for Punjab because of impact due to Operation Sindoor
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 15 (ANI): Punjab BJP president Sunil Jhakar demanded a special package for Punjab due to the adverse tension which was created at the Punjab border in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. In a post on 'X', Sunil Jakhar mentioned that he had raised the demand in the all-party meeting, which was convened by the governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria. 'Keeping in view the severe adverse impact of tension along the border during Operation Sindoor, I had raised the demand for a special economic package for Punjab during the all-party meeting convened by the Hon'ble Punjab Governor last week', the 'X' post said. Jakhar further pointed out the demands made by the students in the border areas for the postponement of the UPSC prelims exams. He extended his support to their demand and urged the Union Government to consider the demands of the students and give them an equal opportunity. 'The demand by students of border areas for postponement of UPSC prelims exams is also in line with the impact of situation on border recently. I fully support their demand and urge the Central Govt and UPSC to favourably consider this to ensure equal opportunity to all students', the post further said. Meanwhile, following the Operation Sindoor and cessation of hostilities agreement between India and Pakistan, lives have started to turn normal in Jammu and Kashmir. The Directorate of School Education, Jammu, announced on Wednesday that schools in certain border areas of Jammu and Kashmir will reopen on May 15. In relief for students and parents, schools in several areas of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch districts will reopen tomorrow after being closed in the wake of hostilities between India and Pakistan. In Jammu, the Chowki Choura, Bhalwal, Dansal, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu zones will be reopening schools. In Samba, the Vijaypur region will open schools' tomorrow. The Kathua, the Barnoti, Lakhanpur, Sallan, and Ghagwal zones will also open the schools. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Jakhar bats for special economic package for Punjab
BJP state president Sunil Jakhar highlighted the urgent need for a special economic package for Punjab during an all-party meeting held on Saturday in Chandigarh. The meeting, attended by governor Gulab Chand Kataria, chief minister Bhagwant Mann and representatives of major political parties, addressed the ongoing challenges faced by the state, particularly due to its status as a border state. Jakhar emphasised that the economic hardships Punjab has endured are not just a result of current circumstances but are rooted in its historical position on the border. Speaking to the media at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Sunday after meeting victims of recent shelling and drone attacks in Ferozepur, Jakhar stressed the importance of collective action. He argued that given Punjab's strategic location and the economic constraints it has faced — such as disrupted trade, border restrictions, and heightened security risks — it is now crucial to secure a structured and sustained form of central support. Jakhar proposed that Punjab be granted special status similar to Jammu and Kashmir or Himachal Pradesh. He pointed out that the state's industries, agriculture, and border communities have long been burdened by proximity to Pakistan, with limited trade routes, hesitancy from investors, and farmers bearing the brunt of ongoing uncertainties. Jakhar assured that the Punjab BJP would engage with the central leadership to advocate for the state's case with clarity and determination, ensuring that the needs of farmers, businesses, youth, and the broader Punjabi community are addressed with urgency.
