Asserting that the property tax imposed by the Punjab government was totally unjustified and uncalled for which must be withdrawn forthwith, former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today said that it had made people tenants of their own houses.
Talking to reporters after inaugurating his election office on the Court Road here today, Capt Amarinder said, this government had progressively failed on all fronts and the economy was its worst casualty. "And now it had started extorting money from the common people who can barely make both ends meet", he said.
He was flanked by his wife and Minister of State for External Affairs Ms Perneet Kaur, daughter Ms Jai Inder Kaur, son Mr Raninder Singh, daughter in law Ms Reshma Kaur, local MLA OP Soni and others.
The former Chief Minister pointed out, it was unprecedented in the democratic history of the country that a government which was in office had presented third consecutive vote on account budget. He said, this is only because they do not have any money and are running the economy on adhocism.
He disclosed that the Reserve Bank of India had recently rejected Punjab's request for further overdraft which means that the state will very soon be unable even to pay the salaries to its employees. Currently he said, the salaries are being paid three months behind the schedule.
Capt Amarinder also had a dig at both Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for promising the moon to people in case Jaitely got elected and the NDA formed government at the centre.
He said, first of all neither Jaitely was going to win nor the NDA will be forming the government. However, he added, even if there was a remote chance of NDA coming power, even that can't be of any help. "The financial system works according to a set procedure", he said, and pointed out that, while the state government prepares the budget it is approved by the Finance Commission. "They probably think that Jaitely might get them some money printing machine to bail them out", he remarked.
