Chandigarh: Suspecting a 'scam' in the purchase of old gunny bags by the Punjab government, state BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution seeking an investigation.
In a statement, Jakhar said gunny bags available in the market for Rs 22 each had allegedly been purchased by the AAP government for Rs 43.9 per bag. 'Allegations of a scam have surfaced in this matter, and therefore it should be investigated,' he said.
Jakhar wrote that under the decentralised procurement scheme (DCP), the Punjab government was using old gunny bags for filling wheat. 'However, the expenditure on these bags raises serious concerns of corruption,' he wrote. 'A thorough investigation should be conducted to get to the root of the matter.'
The BJP leader emphasised that the alleged overpricing of gunny bags could lead to a significant financial loss to the state exchequer. He urged the Union minister to direct the concerned authorities to probe the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against those found guilty.
This development comes amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP in Punjab. The state government has yet to respond to the allegations.
