Chandigarh: Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday alleged a “serious anomaly” in the AAP government’s recruitment drive during Zero Hour in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He claimed that the Punjab health department recently recruited 13 multipurpose health workers, of whom 10 were from neighbouring Haryana, and posted them along the Punjab-Haryana border.Questioning the state’s employment generation claims, Bajwa said that while the AAP government boasts of providing around 66,000 jobs, the state has a workforce of about four lakh government employees, with nearly 15,000 vacancies arising annually due to retirements and deaths. He argued that the hiring of non-Punjabis underscored the opposition’s demand for a white paper on employment.Sharing the names and Haryana domicile districts of the appointees, Bajwa alleged that the recruits were AAP volunteers and IT cell members who had been accommodated at the expense of local candidates. He further claimed that in the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), 14 vacancies were advertised and all those selected were from Ganganagar in Rajasthan.Bajwa alleged that candidates from Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana were increasingly securing jobs in Punjab government departments.Rebutting the allegations, health minister Balbir Singh clarified that the health department had recruited 237 candidates, not 13. He said the successful candidates, including those who had obtained their degrees in Punjab, were handed appointment letters by chief minister Bhagwant Mann.Defending the recruitment process, Balbir Singh said that under existing rules framed by previous governments, candidates from other states were legally eligible for government jobs in Punjab, just as Punjabi youth were employed in states such as Haryana and Rajasthan, including in judicial services. “The country is one,” he said.Meanwhile, AAP MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa suggested that transport policies governing school buses, public buses and other commercial vehicles should be revised to ensure that local transporters are able to earn a sustainable livelihood within the state rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.Congress MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary highlighted the lack of proper connectivity between Phillaur and Ludhiana on an NHAI highway. He said residents were inconvenienced as the local bus stand was not directly connected to the highway.BJP MLA Jangi Lal Mahajan raised concerns over severe traffic congestion and fatal accidents on the GT Road in Mukerian.Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged corruption involving a block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), claiming that despite complaints sent to investigating agencies, no action had been taken. He added that the official had been reinstated despite having been chargesheeted in an earlier case.BOX: PUNJAB NEEDS SEPARATE CENSOR BOARD FOR CINEMA, SAYS AAP MLAAAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura said Punjabi films frequently face multiple cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).Advocating a dedicated body for promoting the state’s film industry, he suggested Punjab establish its own board for entertainment and film promotion, similar to arrangements in some other states. He also pointed out that while Hollywood and Bollywood films often receive prime-time slots in cinemas, Punjabi films are frequently assigned less favourable screening timings.BOX: PUNJAB NEEDS EQUAL RAJYA SABHA REPRESENTATION, SAYS AYALIRebel SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali urged the House to pass a resolution seeking a system similar to that followed in countries such as the United States and Australia, where states receive equal representation in the upper house regardless of population or size.Referring to the proposed Lok Sabha delimitation exercise, Ayali argued that representation in the Rajya Sabha should also be revisited and rationalised.“Punjab has only seven Rajya Sabha members, while Uttar Pradesh has 31,” he said, stressing that adequate parliamentary representation was vital for effectively raising issues concerning Punjab.BOX: MLA ALLEGES TRAFFICKING RACKET IN SULTANPUR LODHI; POLICE DENY CLAIMIndependent MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh alleged in the House that a human trafficking and flesh trade racket was operating in Sultanpur Lodhi.He claimed local women had apprehended individuals allegedly involved in the racket, but the suspects were later let off by police. He also criticised the Kapurthala police for allegedly failing to take appropriate action.“I was told there was no illegality if the persons involved were consenting adults,” Rana said. “I was also told that since I am a legislator, a proper law should be enacted to tackle such cases.”Responding to the allegation, cabinet minister Aman Arora said he had spoken to the police officials and was informed that only an elderly woman had been detained during the raid.“The MLA is confusing human trafficking with flesh trade,” Arora said.
