SAD accuses Manpreet of compromising with security of Badals

Chandigarh, Sep 13 (PTI) Opposition SAD Thursday accused Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal of compromising with the security of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir by rejecting police proposal to buy armored vehicles for their security.

"The security cover is provided in consideration of threat perception to individuals and Manpreet has vetoed the proposal caring two hoots for the security concerns," party spokesman Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal said in a statement here.

He accused Manpreet Badal of playing "petty politics with the lives of those who had dedicated every bit of their life for the state" and also happen to be his mentor.

The Punjab police had mooted the proposal to replace aging Toyota Land Cruiser in the security fleet of Badal and Sukhbir.

Besides, the police also sought new bullet-proof vehicles for former minister Bikram Singh Majithia as these vehicles had outlived their utility and can no more be used for sensitive security operations, he said.

"Throwing all security concerns to winds, Manpreet rejected the proposal on the ground of that Badals and Majithias are the richest people and can afford bullet-proof vehicles and should not depend on the state government," he added.

Besides, Manpreet argued that the state is in bad fiscal health and is on austerity derive, Grewal said.

Lambasting Manpreet Badal's "preposterous" argument, Grewal said that some Congressmen had been provided Z- category for generations keeping in view of their security perception and the SAD or its government never questioned the spending on their security.

Manpreet Badal, without naming the Badals had said: "they could buy vehicles from their own pockets".

"These persons may be richest people in north India. But it (Punjab) is a poor state..they are already having bullet-proof vehicles. If they feel that vehicles are uncomfortable, then they could buy on their own," Manpreet Badal said here.

"There is no political enmity on this issue. But the financial condition of the state does not allow to buy the vehicles costing Rs 8-9 crore," he said.