Ruling ally BJP in Punjab today expressed concern over "deteriorating" law and order in the state and took up the matter with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.
The core group of Punjab BJP led by state unit chief Vijay Sampla held a meeting with Badal at his residence here and discussed various issues with him, said a party release.
In the meeting, Sampla raised the issue of "deteriorating" law and order in the state, attack on religious leaders and rising incidents of gang war.
While expressing concern, he demanded that law and order should be maintained at all cost to eliminate the "atmosphere of fear" from the minds of people in the state.
Notably, Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale was attacked by armed men in Ludhiana last month in which his aide Bhupinder Singh was killed.
Earlier, in the month of April, motorcycle-borne assailants had gunned down Chand Kaur, matriarch of Namdharis, at the headquarters of the sect at Bhaini Sahib near Ludhiana.
Sampla also raised the issue of VAT refund and demanded from Punjab CM to resolve this issue at the earliest.
He asked government to ensure that VAT refunds are disbursed in a time-bound manner.
Sampla, who is also a Union Minister, sought notification of VAT exemption and VAT rate reduction on some commodities including turmeric, coriander, cumin, black pepper which were announced in the state budget.
Cabinet Minister and BJP MLA Anil Joshi raised the problems faced by shopkeepers and business community in Amritsar in the meeting. He said they are facing losses as vehicles are not allowed near Golden Temple between 7 AM and 9 PM. Sampla asked Badal to resolve the problems of shopkeepers.
He also asked Badal to appoint president and vice president in municipal committees as per understanding between SAD and BJP.
The Punjab BJP chief also took strong note of bringing BJP councilors into Akali Dal fold.
