Akali Dal seeks CBI probe into funding of Punjab minister's associates
Chandigarh: Punjab's opposition Akali Dal on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the funding of sand mining auctions of Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh's associates by the main accused in the Rs 1,000 crore irrigation scam.
It also sought an Enforcement Directorate inquiry.
Akali Dal MPs Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhundur said the central agencies should also probe the release of Rs 4 crore to contractor Gurinder Singh, who was the main accused in the irrigation scam, by Rana Gurjit's ministry.
"How can the Irrigation Ministry release money to a contractor who is being probed and has even been arrested? The contractor's direct involvement in the sand mine auctions on behalf of Rana Gurjit's associates alone can explain the undue favours given to him by the Irrigation Ministry," they said in a statement here.
They said in both cases the minister was liable for criminal prosecution as facts revealed that irrigation scam money had been used to fund personal business interests of his close associates and partner J.S. Randhawa.
"There is no way he (Rana Gurjit) can continue as a minister and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should dismiss him immediately," they added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UP: Over 100 monkeys die of toxic chemical, buried in pit to hide carnage
Hathras (UP), Nov 22: More than 100 monkeys perished after inhaling a pesticide sprayed in a food godown and were stealthily buried in a pit, police on Friday said.
The bodies were taken out for a postmortem by a team of veterinarians on Friday.
Circle Officer Yogendra Krishna Narayan said police came to know about the deaths on Wednesday.
Police have registered a case against the employees of Food Corporation of India and started an investigation.
According to police, the chemical in question was aluminium phosphide sprayed on wheat sacks to protect it from insects and rodents in an FCI warehouse on November 7.
A troop of monkeys entered the warehouse through a broken window of the godown on the night of November 7 and ended up inhaling the gas.
When the workers opened the warehouse on November 9, they saw several monkeys dead.
They allegedly chose not to inform their seniors about deaths and buried the bodies in a pit.
The CO said the bodies were exhumed when some Vishv Hindu Parishad leaders came to know about the incident.
As per police count, more than 100 monkeys were exhumed from the pit.
Their bodies were in late stage decay, the officer said.
