SAD chief alleges GMADA and PSPCL contracts will add to Punjab’s debt burden; questions non-payment of employees’ DA arrears
Chandigarh : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has alleged that the Punjab government is incurring hundreds of crores of rupees in consultancy fees while preparing to raise additional debt worth thousands of crores.
In a post citing media reports, Badal alleged that the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) had engaged a Gujarat-based consultant for a fee of ₹191 crore to facilitate raising a loan of around ₹15,000 crore.
He further claimed that the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had awarded a ₹150 crore contract to a Mumbai-based firm for raising bonds worth approximately ₹10,000 crore.
According to Badal, the two consultancy arrangements would together amount to more than ₹340 crore, while the proposed borrowing could add nearly ₹25,000 crore to Punjab’s debt burden.
Questioning the financial implications of the proposed borrowing, the SAD president asked who would ultimately bear the interest cost on what he described as a massive additional burden on the state.
Badal also criticised the state government over the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears of Punjab government employees. He alleged that the deadline set by the High Court for clearing the arrears had passed, but employees had still not received any payment.
He termed the situation “shameful” and questioned the government’s priorities amid the alleged plans for large-scale additional borrowing.
The allegations regarding the consultancy contracts, borrowing plans and DA arrears are based on Badal’s statement and cited media reports.