Over Rs 97 cr spent on vehicles for CM, ministers: Channi

Leader of Opposition Charanjit Singh Channi today alleged that the Punjab state Transport department has spent more than Rs 97 crore on government vehicles provided to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the entire cabinet in the 2007-2015 period.
The Congress leader said the Badals should come on a public platform for an open debate on the financial crisis and implementation of social security schemes in the state in the last 10 years.
"Spending more than Rs 97 crore on vehicles provided to the Badals and other ministers shows the insensitiveness of these leaders towards the state," he said quoting a Right to Information (RTI) reply.

Channi added that according to the reply, the expenditure of the Transport department in this regard has now crossed Rs 100 crore.
The Leader of Opposition further alleged that while the state was heading towards a "financial emergency", Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, were enjoying the best of luxuries at the expense of the public exchequer.
During the said period, the Transport department spent the highest amount of Rs 17,77,92,929 in 2012-2013 under this head whereas, the minimum amount of Rs 8,38,28,895 was spent in 2008-09, Channi said.
"The expenditure incurred in 2014-15 was pegged at Rs 13,13,90,655," he added.