Hoshiarpur:- MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa today addressed a joint press conference regarding the allegations made against him regarding the alleged illegal extortion in the grain market. On this occasion, DSP Dev Dutt Sharma and District Mandi Officer Gurkirpal Singh were also specially present. MLA Jimpa, referring to the video going viral on social media, clearly said that all the allegations made against him are completely baseless and inspired by a political conspiracy.
MLA Jimpa said that a video is being viral on social media, in which a social media user has alleged that the slips cut in the market are being collected in his name as ‘Gunda Tax’.
The MLA said that neither he has ever encouraged any such illegal collection nor has he given any instructions to any officer or employee to do so. He said that in the video, the employees cutting the slips themselves have clarified that the slips were cut completely as per the rules and there is no question of any illegal collection in the name of the MLA. The MLA said that he has asked the department officials to check whether the slips are being issued as per the rules or not.
MLA Jimpa said that even when he became a cabinet minister in the Punjab government, he had first visited the markets with the SSP and listened to the problems of farmers, arhtiyas and traders. Transparent market system and protection of farmers' interests remained his priority. He said that he would make a written request to the Punjab Chief Minister, Minister of Mandi Department, Chairman of Punjab Mandi Board and Deputy Commissioner for a fair and thorough investigation into this entire matter. Along with this, he would also give a written complaint to the police and demand an investigation into the entire matter.
After the press conference, MLA Jimpa visited the grain market and interacted with the vegetable sellers there and listened to their problems. He assured the traders that no injustice would be allowed to be done to anyone. The MLA also instructed the police officers to visit the market regularly so that any kind of rumour, illegal activity or disturbance could be stopped in time.
On this occasion, DSP Dev Dutt Sharma said that the matter would be seriously investigated and all the rules related to cutting of slips in the market would be studied in detail. If the allegations are found to be false, strict action would be taken as per the law. District Mandi Officer Gurkirpal Singh said that if anyone faces any problem in the mandi, he can directly contact the department. It is not appropriate to accuse anyone without facts and the entire matter will be investigated at the departmental level.