Punjab Governor-CM feud: Banwarilal Purohit 'denies' nod to Budget session, writes to Bhagwant Mann
Mohali, February 23: In a major development in a feud between Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the former on Thursday denied permission to the Punjab Budget session proposed for March 3.
Notably, the feud between Banwarilal Purohit and Bhagwant Mann escalated after the Governor slammed the AAP government over a lack of transparency in selecting teachers to be sent to Singapore for training.
The Governor wrote a letter to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann requesting him to send him the criteria and details of the entire selection process.
"Please also give detail if it was widely published throughout Punjab. As per news reports since the first batch has come back, please let me have details of total expenditure incurred on travelling and boarding lodging and expenses towards training,” the letter read.
Governor Purohit further lambasted the Chief Minister, questioning various decisions made by the government in recent weeks.
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However, in reply to the Punjab Governor's letter, Bhagwant Mann stated that "his government is answerable to only Punjabis as per rules". In the letter, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised questions over the qualification and appointment of the Governor.
"I want to clarify that I am accountable to 3 crore Punjabis. You have asked me on what basis have teachers been selected for training in Singapore? The people of Punjab want to ask on what basis the Governors are elected in different states by the Central Government without any clear qualification in Constitution," said Bhagwant Mann.
Probably, perturbed over this, Banwarilal Purohit on Thursday denied approval to the Punjab Budget Session 2023 for now.
The Governor said "In reply to my letter dated February 13, 2023, you sent me your reply through Twitter on the same day and also through your letter dated February 14, 2023."
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"Since your tweet and letter both are not only patently unconstitutional, but extremely derogatory also, therefore, I am compelled to take legal advice on the issue of calling the punjab Budget session as proposed by your government on March 3. Only after getting legal advice. I will take decision on your request."
- PTC NEWS
