Pargat accuses Badal of lying on waste management project

Former SAD leader Pargat Singh today accused Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of "lying" on the issue of shifting the Jamsher Solid Waste Management project, which he had claimed will pose a serious threat to the health of people living there.
Pargat, who has switched over to the Congress, even confronted Badal at his Sangat Darshan programme at Jalandhar Cantt assembly constituency today.
"Chief Minister is completely lying on the issue of solid waste management project," he said.
"Nothing has been done by the Akali government on changing the location of the solid waste management project," claimed Pargat who had resigned as MLA from SAD last month.

At the programme in Jamsher village of Jalandhar today, Badal said, "keeping in view of larger public interest, the state government shall set up Jamsher Solid Waste Management plant at some alternate place."
Pargat, had been strongly opposing the setting up of the waste management plant at Jamsher village, claiming that it would pose serious threat to the health of people living there.

His relations with SAD soured because of this project as the ruling party did not pay heed to his request of changing its location.
Meanwhile, Pargat, who had been former Indian Hockey captain, claimed that he was initially not allowed to attend the programme.

"I was stopped by cops from entering the venue," said the former Olympian, adding that he along with some villagers were allowed to let in after he staged a dharna outside the programme.
Pargat said he asked CM that he should visit the place where the project has been planned to be set up to get first hand information. But he refused, he said.
"For the last seven-eight months, the file in connection with the solid waste management project has not moved even an inch. And now the code of conduct could be imposed anytime, Badal is announcing to change the location. He is just lying," alleged Pargat.

Pargat along with Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had joined the Congress party on November 28 in New Delhi.
Pargat is seeking Congress ticket from Jalandhar Cantt to contest Punjab Assembly polls.