In a recent major development of souring relations between the Punjab Governor and the ruling government, Banwarilal Purohit has yet again hit out at the Bhagwant-led government over a range of matters, questioning the government’s decision taken in the past couple of weeks.
In the Governor’s two-page letter addressed to Chief Minister, he raised matters pertaining to the lack of transparency in selecting teachers to be sent to Singapore for training.
In his letter, the Governor has requested the CM to send him the criteria and details of the entire selection process. “Please also give detail if it was widely published throughout Punjab. As per news reports since the first batch has come back, please let me have details of the total expenditure incurred on travelling and boarding lodging and expenses towards training.”
Besides, the letter has also highlighted the Governor's concern over the high-profile appointments of “tainted” persons in some crucial posts.
Reprimanding the CM further in the letter, Governor made exclusive mention of the points where the state government or CM is yet to comply, which have been highlighted in a series of previous letters, the points include:
• The suspension of 2 Lakh scheduled cast students’ scholarships in the state.
• To remove the illegally appointed Vice Chancellor of PAU.
• Presence of Naval Aggarwal in some high-level meetings among the senior state officials.
• Governor seeking response on advertisements related to the state government.
Apart from the above-mentioned matters, another issue that the governor has flagged in the recent letter to the state CM is the appointment of Senior IPS Kuldeep Singh Chahal as Jalandhar Commissioner.
Raising concern over the matter in the letter Banwari Lal Purohit writes, “You have not only promoted him but also posted him as Commissioner of Jalandhar and that too the orders being issued just before January 26, knowing very well that Governor is to unfurl the national flag at Jalandhar. I had to instruct the DGP that the officer concerned should maintain distance during the ceremony. On this issue, it seems that this officer was your blue-eyed boy and you chose to ignore facts that were brought to your notice by this office.”
Towards the end of the letter the Governor stated, "There are many other points but I have chosen to highlight five sensitive and important points covering the safety and security of the State and country. The information about these points was asked by me besides two points already asked by me. The entire information which has been sought by me may at least now be furnished within a fortnight. If you fail to provide this information within the stipulated time period as already sufficient time has passed I will be compelled to take legal advice for further action since I am duty bound to protect the Constitution.”
It is not the first time that the Governor has questioned the government’s manner of functioning in the state. In close to one year since being voted into power state government has come at loggerheads several times. Moreover, Bhagwant Mann-led government hasn’t paid much heed to it.
Notably, it is not the first time that the State Constitutional head has come at loggerheads against the government voted to power in the Indian states. Infamously we have seen similar cases coming from West Bengal recently and Rajasthan. Indian History has been an observer of such grim records in past.