AAP's Haryana Unit Condemns State Government Policies
The Haryana unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a scathing attack on the state government on Friday, highlighting two critical issues affecting residents. The party strongly criticized the administration for permitting certain toll plazas to continue operating despite their contractual tenure having expired. Additionally, AAP pointed fingers at the government's policy framework, which it claims is responsible for the significant disparity in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices across various districts in the state.
Key Issues Raised at State Executive Meeting
These concerns were among several others articulated by AAP's Haryana president, Sushil Gupta, during the party's state executive meeting. The gathering was convened to deliberate on strategies in preparation for upcoming civic polls and other political campaigns. Gupta chaired the session, emphasizing the need for immediate governmental action on these pressing matters.
Disparity in CNG Rates Across Districts
Gupta highlighted a stark contrast in CNG pricing, noting that while Delhi residents pay Rs 77 per kilogram, rates in Haryana soar as high as Rs 91 per kg. He attributed this discrepancy to the state's policy of allocating districts exclusively to specific CNG companies, thereby fostering monopolies. "Each company is granted a single district where they maintain complete control, eliminating competition," Gupta explained. He argued that if the government allowed all companies to operate freely across all districts, competitive pricing similar to that in the national capital would naturally emerge, benefiting consumers.
Illegal Toll Plazas Continue to Operate
Similarly, Gupta addressed the contentious issue of toll plazas, alleging that approximately 30% of the total toll plazas in Haryana remain operational long after their designated tenure has concluded. "Who has authorized these toll plazas to exploit the common people? Why has the government failed to enforce their closure?" he questioned. Gupta pointed out that there are around eighteen such plazas, raising serious concerns about governance and accountability. In contrast, he cited Punjab's example, where the government has successfully shut down over twenty similar toll plazas, setting a precedent for Haryana to follow.
AAP's Strategy for Upcoming Civic Polls
In light of these issues, Gupta clarified AAP's participation in the forthcoming civic elections. The party plans to field candidates for the positions of mayors and corporators in the municipal corporation elections of Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat. This move underscores AAP's commitment to addressing local governance challenges and advocating for policy reforms at the grassroots level.
The AAP's criticisms come at a crucial time, as the state prepares for civic polls, with the party positioning itself as a vocal opponent of policies it deems detrimental to public welfare. The focus on CNG price disparities and illegal toll plazas reflects broader concerns about economic fairness and administrative efficiency in Haryana.
