With the code of conduct likely to be imposed any time in the wake of upcoming high-stake assembly polls, the Akali-BJP government in Punjab is making "large scale" appointments in various boards, corporations and other state bodies.
In the past one week, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has given his nod for appointing more than 30 people at various positions of the state-owned boards and corporations in Punjab, apparently trying to woo representatives of different sections of the society.
However, opposition Congress has said that after coming to power, it would review all the "political appointments" being "hastily made" now by the ruling dispensation.
Badal today gave his approval for appointing new senior vice chairman and directors, members in various boards, corporations of the "cash-starved" state.
An official spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said Sanjiv Talwar has been appointed as Senior Vice Chairman of the Punjab State Youth Welfare Board, while Harbhupinder Singh Shah has been appointed as the Director in Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA).
Avneet Pal Singh Dhindsa has been appointed as Director in Punjab Khadi and Village Industry Board, while Sarabjit Singh Supariwind and Pawan Kumar Vij have been appointed as Directors in Punjab State Industry Development Corporation (PSIDC).
The formal orders related to these appointments would be issued shortly by concerned departments, the spokesperson said, adding that the appointments have been approved by the Chief Minister.
Badal also appointed Bhupinder Singh Saifdipur as the new Vice Chairman of Market Committee Patiala.
Yesterday, Akali Patriarch appointed Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan as Chairperson of District Planning Committee (DPC), Sangrur and Vicky Sahota appointed as Vice-Chairman of Safai Karmchari Welfare Commission, Punjab.
Sushil Sharma, Sulakhan Singh and Tribhawan Gupta were appointed as members of State Youth Development Board, Punjab Bazigar and Tapriwas Welfare Board and Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation, respectively.
Earlier, Badal had appointed Sampooran Singh as Chairman of the Rai Sikh Welfare Board.
Des Raj Dhugga was appointed as the Chairman of Punjab Schedule Caste Land Development and Finance Corporation and Prem Mittal was appointed Chairman of Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation.
Subhash Sondhi was appointed as Senior Vice Chairman of Dalit Welfare Board.
Similarly, Joga Singh Sidhu was appointed as Director Punjab Khadi and Village Industry Board while Amanbir Singh was appointed as Independent Director in Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and Manohar Singh Kalra was appointed as Member of Punjab Small Traders Board.
Likewise, Lal Chand, Thomas, William John and Daniel Khokhar were appointed as four members of Christian Welfare Board.
"I am only concerned about the political appointments that the Badals are hastily making to promote the interests of their own people," said Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh.
"Many such appointments relate to appointment of retired government officials or politicians who had not been given tickets by the Badals," he added, reiterating that if Congress comes to power it would review all such appointments immediately.
