Cong MLAs oppose move to induct retd cop into PPSC

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 24

A section of Congress MLAs from Majha and some serving police officers have opposed the state government’s proposal to induct retired IG Lok Nath Angra into the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), citing his proximity to then ruling Akalis.

Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira and Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa have already disapproved of the move to accommodate the former IPS officer.

The MLAs, including Fatehjang Bajwa, Balwinder Singh Laddi and Santokh Singh, met Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh, PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar and AICC secretary Harish Chaudhary on the issue today.

The legislators and police officers alleged that Angra had taken favours from the Akalis to hold on to his post.

Former Congress MLA Jasbir Dimpa, who accompanied the MLAs, said Angra had got registered a false case against 49 party workers during the 2007 Assembly elections at the behest of the Akalis. “We apprised the CM of the atrocities suffered by our workers at that time,” he said.

“The Akalis, through a Cabinet decision, gave Angra a supernumerary post as DSP with effect from June 21, 1989. Otherwise, he would have been reverted to the rank of SP from DIG,” he added.

Congress MLA Sukhjinder Randhawa said, “Instead of Angra, a non-controversial person should be appointed to the PPSC. We know that he helped former Akali minister Sucha Singh Langah and shielded the latter’s men in a criminal case at Dhariwal.”

Khaira is learnt to have sent a note to the Governor on the matter.