It may seem improbable but MLAs in Punjab’s recently-concluded state elections have spent far less money than the permissible limit of `16 lakhs set by the Election Commission. A recent compilation of data by the Punjab Election Watch (PEW) found out that on an average, MLAs have only spent 42 per cent of the permissible limit.
Notwithstanding the fact that there were charges and countercharges by political parties that money played a major role in the state elections. The fact that out of the total 109 MLAs who declared their expenditure details, only 31 legislators have been able to spent `8 lakhs, the 50 per cent of the permissible limit.
Although it may seem hilarious, but no candidate has been able to cross the upper limit of the `16 lakhs. An Independent candidate from Atam Nagar constituency in Ludhiana managed to spend `13.24 lakhs, highest for any candidate. Congress candidate Karan Kaur Brar, who had who was one of the richest politicians of Punjab with movable and immovable assets of `128 crores, came second with declared expenditure of `13.23 lakhs. Ironically, BJP’s Seema Devi with assets of just `2.81 lakhs managed to spent `9.21 lakhs during the campaigning. The candidates who have declared the least amount of expenditure are Vrisa Singh Valtoha `2.67 lakhs and Partap Singh Karion `2.86 lakhs.
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BJP: UPA faces policy paralysis
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, April 18
Alleging that the UPA government is suffering from “policy paralysis” and “indecision”, which has caused an inertia in the economy, the BJP on Wednesday suggested that the Congress-led UPA should look at avenues which provide jobs as well as contribute to asset creation.
Speaking at a function organised by an industry group, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said after 1991 India was a “great success” story but “all of a sudden there is a policy paralysis and indecision when the UPA has come to power”. Mr Jaitley maintained the root of the problem is more political than economic.
Mr Jaitley said in a company it is possible to have a board of directors in one place and a professional CEO running the organisation elsewhere but “the largest democracy in the world” cannot function like this. The main Opposition maintained there can be no political consensus in a scenario where there is political hostility.
Citing examples, he said there were differences within Congress itself as well as with allies like Trinamool Congress.
Mr Jaitley said India now seems to be moving towards the pre-1991 era as there is “inertia” in the economy.