Channi’s claim of clean Administration goes for toss, as decks cleared for appointment of tainted officer as DC Ludhiana
Ludhiana, 13 November 2021 : CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s fall claims of providing clean administration to people apparently fell flat as decks are cleared for appointment of a tainted officer as Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana.
Surprisingly CM’s Cabinet colleague Bharat Bhushan Ashu is backing candidature of a tainted officer as Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana, much to embarrassment of state government.
Highly placed sources revealed that controversial Minister Ashu is miffed with incumbent Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma after the latter had not allowed plan of Minister’s close aides to grab more than three acres of prime land in Model Town locality at peanut prices. But the Sharma an IAS, who is known for his integrity and honesty, foiled the attempt to bring loss to state exchequer. Ever since then Ashu had been hatching plans to remove the Deputy Commissioner.
However, much to surprise of many the choice of Ashu is a blue eyed officer of Akalis and a promotee IAS officer Amarpal Singh who was co-accused in famous Iron Ore scam. The officer was unceremoniously absolved of charges by Akali government during its last leg thereby raising many eye brows. But sources claimed that Ashu is zealously pursuing the case of the IAS officer for his posting as DC.
Sources also revealed that succumbing to pressure being exerted by the Minister, the Punjab government has also sent the name of this officer for DC Ludhiana. However, a section of officers and political leaders believe that any such move will be detrimental for state governments specially the Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as his clean image will be dented. The opposition will ammunition against the Chief Minister and it will be against the interests of his Government, a senior Congress MLA said on condition of anonymity.