LUDHIANA: The Punjab Chief Minister, Harcharan Singh Brar, last week stated that the cabinet would be expanded very soon but declined to elaborate on any time schedule.
While media persons persisted with routine questions like cabinet expansion, inclusion of tainted ministers in the new cabinet and any chance of the government taking action against those charged with corruption, Brar remained noncommittal and refused ‘to be drawn into any controversy sked about his remarks on tainted ministers and their chances of getting ministerial berths, the Chief Minister denied that he had made any comments about tainted ministers in the cabinet of the slain Chief Minister, Beant Singh and added that words were being put into his mouth. When asked to comment on allegros of corruption against certain ministers in the previous cabinet, Bras said how could he make any comments against ministers of a government of which he himself was a part.
Replying to a question about the inclusion of Youth Congress president, Manindesjit Singh Bitta, in his Cue to that the post which Bitta was holding was out of his view and any decision about Bius would be taken by the party High Command.
When asked about alleged instances of amassing wealth and misuse of power by Bitta, the Chief Minister shot back,” I am not a police officer.”
Before giving any chance to the media persons to ask further questions, Brarabrupuly got up and said he was getting late for the state level small savings function and left. Later addressing the function, Bras: stressed that investment in small saving schemes should become a mass movement with the active participation of people from all walks of life.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 13, 1995
