Capt forms 8 panels to review govt schemes, Sidhu on none
Sunday, 09/06/2019
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/capt-forms-8-panels-to-review-govt-schemes-sidhu-on-none/785084.html
Chandigarh : Two days after divesting Navjot Singh Sidhu of Local Bodies Department, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today ignored him while constituting eight consultative groups to accelerate the pace of implementing the government’s flagship programmes.
The groups have been mandated to review and assess schemes such as farm debt waiver, universal health insurance, Ghar Ghar Rozgar, food security, and Mission Tandarust and give recommendations for improvement.
A senior minister, requesting anonymity, said “When he (Sidhu) cannot talk to the Chief Minister, what is the need to make him part of any committee? He chooses to voice his point of view on government functioning through the media. He is not part of any team. Let him carry out his work independently.”
When asked why he was retained in the Cabinet when he was not a part of the CM’s team, the minister said, “He still has a chance to perform and get back in the core team. As of now, he has nothing to offer in results from his previous department, except tall claims.”
Sidhu could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. One of his media heads, Smit Singh, said “We don’t know the details of the panels you mentioned. We cannot comment on it as of now.”
Meanwhile, Capt Amarinder will head the group on urban renewal and reforms — smart cities, AMRUT, UEIP and HUDCO. He will also head the group on drugs – comprehensive action plan against drug abuse.
Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will head the group on farmer and farm workers debt waiver; Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu universal health insurance scheme and Mission Tandarust; Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi Ghar Ghar Rozgar; Food and Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu food security (smart ration cards): and Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa rural development (MGSVY, SVC, MGNREGA, rural housing).
The groups are expected to complete the task in four weeks and submit reports to the CM. The reports will be taken up by the Cabinet in its meeting in July.
‘He still has a chance’
A senior minister, requesting anonymity, said "When he (Sidhu) cannot talk to the CM, what is the need to make him part of any committee? He chooses to voice his point of view on government functioning through the media…He still has a chance to perform and get back in the core team."
