Amarinder promises strong Lokpal

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh today promised that the Congress government will set up a powerful institution of the Lokpal which will include the Chief Minister within its jurisdiction.
"We will clean up the system from the top," he said.
The former chief minister said there will be "zero-tolerance" towards corruption and that his government will set up a strong institution of the Lokpal.
He recalled his tenure as the CM during which he had jailed then "corrupt" chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission besides dismissing 32 corrupt officials from services.
The PCC president was here to interact with the office bearers of the Amritsar rural and urban district units to take their feedback for the assembly elections due next year.

Responding to party workers' demand to "avenge" resgistration of "fabricated" cases against them, Amarinder said those will be withdrawn the day a Congress government was formed and those involved will be subjected to "reciprocal" justice.

The Punjab Congress chief said unlike in the past, tickets this time will be given only to deserving candidates based on their chances of winning the elections.
The PCC president said when Congress forms the government, it will work towards implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission for the welfare of farmers.
He also attended a protest meeting of the Jewellers' association here where he criticised the "insensitivity" of the central government towards the jewellers and supported their demand for withdrawal of one per cent excise duty on non-silver jewellery.