Chandigarh , October 17
Former President of the District Congress Committee (Urban) and senior Congress leader Pawan Dewan has launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its reported plan to sell off nearly two dozen government-owned properties in Ludhiana.
In a strongly worded statement issued today, Dewan accused the cash-strapped AAP administration of recklessly liquidating public assets in a desperate move to plug financial gaps. “The government is reportedly selling 10 prime properties belonging to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), along with a significant portion of land owned by Punjab Agricultural University,” he said.
Dewan said that this is an ill-conceived move, while adding, “Media reports suggest that properties from several other departments are also on the chopping block. This is short-sighted approach and a complete betrayal of public trust.” He reaffirmed the Congress party’s firm opposition to the plan. “We strongly oppose this irresponsible decision tooth and nail. The AAP Government has miserably failed and state’s economy is bleeding. Selling off Public assets is no solution to the financial mess created by the AAP government”, he pointed out.
Dewan said that his warnings about Punjab’s deteriorating fiscal health under the AAP regime have now been vindicated. Citing alarming statistics, he revealed that Punjab’s debt stood at Rs 2,81,773 crore at the close of the 2021–22 financial year and is expected to rise to Rs 4,17,136 crore by the end of 2025–26. “These figures speak for themselves. The financial situation under the AAP government is not just troubling—it’s disastrous,” he said. Dewan added that the people of Punjab had high hopes but the AAP government has miserably failed to bail out the state from the burgeoning debt and revive the dwindling economy.
Dewan accused the government of resorting to desperate measures to cover routine expenses. “Instead of fixing the root causes of this fiscal mess, the AAP government is selling off prime government properties, assets that belong to the people of Punjab,” he said. Dewan reiterated the Congress party’s firm opposition to the move, calling it a reckless dismantling of public wealth to mask financial mismanagement.
