SAD-BJP combine slams Punjab CM for 'non-refund' of GST charged on langar

The SAD-BJP on Monday accused Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of not refunding to the SGPC the GST charged on items bought for langars, with Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia saying he was a "habitual offender".

The remarks came a day after the chief minister termed Union minister and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal a "compulsive liar" for her statement that the Congress government had "reneged on its commitment".

"Chief Minister Amarinder Singh is running away from his responsibilities and behaving like a habitual offender by going back on his word to refund the state's GST share on langar (community kitchen) for the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) and other shrines," SAD general secretary Bikram Singh Majithia said here.

Majithia said it did not "behove" a chief minister to try to "befool" the masses by stating that the money had been put at the disposal of the Amritsar deputy commissioner for transfer to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) when the "same was not being done" despite repeated attempts to get the funds released.

A day before reacting to the Union minister's statement, the CM had said, "She is a compulsive liar with no shame in pedaling even religion for her petty political gains."
Chugh alleged, "It was highly unfortunate that the chief minister was lying as Rs 3.27 crore refunded to the SGPC has not reached the religious body."