Ruling party MLAs question their ministers

Punjab Assembly today witnessed verbal spats between ruling Akali Dal MLAs and state Cabinet ministers during question hour of the ongoing budget session.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA from Bholath constituency Bibi Jagir Kaur had heated exchange of words with Punjab Agricultural Minister Tota Singh (SAD) over the issue of completion and making functional the grain market of Damulia in Nadala at Kapurthala district.
Later, she also had a spat with Local Government Minister Anil Joshi (BJP) over the status of laying of sewage network and construction of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Dhilwan town of Kapurthala.
The House witnessed verbal clash between Tota Singh and Kaur when she wanted to know from the minister when would the grain market of Damulia in Nadala, Kapurthala district be complete and made functional.

Singh replied the grain market would be functional by March 31, 2017, but Kaur was not satisfied.
"It is good that you have informed the house about the completion of grain market, but when the government would begin work," she asked.

"It has been four years since the foundation stone was laid by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and even Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal assured its early completion, but nothing moved thereafter," she alleged.
Replying to Kaur, Singh said the place earmarked for grain market needed earth work, costing Rs 1.5 crore and another Rs one crore was required for flooring.

"Why don't you get the earth work done on your own? In my own constituency, I got several work done on my own. Or give us the money to get it done," the minister said.
To this, Kaur claimed, "I had helped the government to acquire 15 acre of land worth Rs 15 crore for just Rs 1.27 crore. It is not my job to arrange money for work. Government should do it."
Kaur again entered into an argument, this time with Local Government Minister Anil Joshi (BJP), when she wanted to know the status of lying sewage line and construction of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Dhilwan town in Kapurthala and when it would become functional.