Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Wednesday came down heavily on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for allowing urban local bodies to siphon off funds raised by Improvement Trusts through the sale of land and properties.
Bajwa said these funds were created for a single purpose—urban infrastructure development—and not to fill the fiscal gaps of a cash-strapped government.
Citing a recent news report, Bajwa highlighted that the Punjab Cabinet has amended the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922, by inserting Clause 69B, which now permits a portion of revenues from Improvement Trusts to be diverted into a Municipal Development Fund.
“This is nothing less than a betrayal of public trust,” Bajwa charged. “Improvement Trusts were set up with a clear mandate: to undertake urban development projects funded by the sale of properties. These funds are not meant to bail out the government’s routine expenditures.”
Accusing the Mann-led government of running Punjab into financial distress, Bajwa said the state is “staring at bankruptcy” due to AAP’s mismanagement. “This diversion of funds exposes the government’s desperation. Punjab’s debt is already spiraling and is projected to cross ₹5 lakh crore by 2027,” he warned.
He further questioned the handling of resources already allocated in the state budget for local bodies. “Where has that money disappeared? Why raid the Improvement Trusts when budgetary provisions already exist?” Bajwa asked.
Calling this move part of a larger pattern, Bajwa reminded that the government has repeatedly diverted hundreds of crores from different departments just to stay afloat.
Turning his fire on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Bajwa said, “Mr. Kejriwal parades himself as a financial expert because of his past as an Income Tax officer. He promised to generate ₹34,000 crore annually by curbing corruption and another ₹20,000 crore from mining. Every single promise has collapsed. His so-called financial expertise now stands completely exposed.”