Punjab will fill up one lakh vacancies in two years: CM

Chandigarh, March 16 (IANS) As the Congress government completed three years in power in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday said that one lakh government vacancies would be filled in two years through transparent and merit-based selection.

The aim was to achieve the target of 20 lakh jobs by 2022, he added.

Amarinder Singh said his government was committed to transparency in governance, and would soon bring in the new Lokayukta Bill, covering all government functionaries, including the Chief Minister, along with anti red tape legislation and land leasing and tenancy Act.

The Chief Minister also announced 750 rural stadiums across Punjab to promote sports and improve the health and fitness of the youth, and the establishment of a world-class law university in Tarn Taran.

He also vowed to ensure punishment to those guilty in the Bargari sacrilege case and also promised end to all mafia and monopoly in the border state.

Claiming that he would not allow mining, liquor, drug and transport mafia to operate, or gangsters and terrorists to disturb the state's peace, the Chief Minister to the media here: "I will be absolutely harsh."

Amarinder Singh said that his government was working towards eliminating all kinds of mafia in the state "but these things take time".

"We have done our best, and we could not have done any better, considering the situation," he said, complimenting his Cabinet colleagues and officers for the excellent job done.

Everyone will get a chance to make the most of the opportunities in the transport and other sectors in the state, the Chief Minister said.

Amarinder said that he would take up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah the issue of shifting top gangsters out of Punjab prisons, as already proposed by state Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

Promising "unprecedented development" and fulfilment of all Congress poll manifesto promises in coming two years, Amarinder Singh made a slew of announcements.

Vowing a massive crackdown on the transport mafia, the Chief Minister said that his government will implement, in toto, the High Court judgment upheld by the Supreme Court and end all permits declared illegal in the state.

As for the monopoly of a single family on buses operated from Delhi airports to Punjab, the Chief Minister said that his government was working to address the issue but the Delhi government also had to be on board with any decision in this regard.

Referring to complaints of continued illegal sand mining, Amarinder Singh said he had asked the Water Resources Minister to thoroughly review and make this system fully transparent.

The government's aim is to ensure steady supply of sand at affordable rates at the pithead through proper technology to check illegal activities by contractors and illegal miners, he said, adding that new mining proposals would be announced by the government in two-three weeks.

The Chief Minister said that revenue earnings through auctions of sand mines had seen a significant improvement, with Rs 120 crore accruing this year and sand prices remaining low.

On the issue of affordable power for domestic consumers in Punjab, Amarinder Singh said that the Congress government had decided to rationalise electricity tariff in a manner that reduces the burden on the common man.

The White Paper on the state's power sector will be brought out shortly, he added.

The Chief Minister said, in response to a question, that elections to the municipal bodies in Punjab would be held soon, once the process of demarcation is completed.

He agreed that reports on the central government ending the MSP regime was a matter of concern and urged the Centre not to consider any such move.