Panjab’s AAP Govt Seeks Moratorium on Loan Interests; Tender for Aircraft; New Advocate General

Recently the Panjab Governor sought details on how the AAP government spent $6B raised through loans in the first 20 months of its tenure. Panjab CM replied 57% of the amount paid  interest on all loans on the state. With legacy debt of $45B at the end of the FY 2021-22, which is projected to touch to $50B in FY 2023-24, Panjab is among the most indebted states in India. While in this fiscal condition, the Panjab civil aviation department floated a tender for hiring of an 8-10 seater fixed wing jet aircraft for a six-month, short term wet lease. Last year, such an aircraft cost the state $0.2M. The Panjab government already owns a helicopter at the permanent service of its chief ministers, past and present. The Panjab police later advised the RTI activist who tweeted the post to remove it, claiming the post had sensitive information. On the other hand, last week the Panjab government appointed yet another Advocate General, the third in 1.5 years. AAP MLA Kunwar Pratap Singh has expressed reservations on the appointment of Gurminder Singh for having previously represented an accused in Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan cases of police killings during peaceful Sikh protests.