Pesticide scam: Tota Singh blames Director Agriculture Punjab for defaming Badal

Punjab News Express
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh under fire for purchase of sub-standard pesticides by his department today denied that decision to purchase pesticides was taken on the directions of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Mangal Singh Sandhu former Director Agriculture department has claimed that he had informed the Agriculture minister about the purchase of pesticides and decision was taken at the Chief Minsiter level. The information about the purchase of sub-standard pesticides from a private company was leaked to CLP leader Sunil Jakhar who passed it on to media. The issue was raised by Congress in the Vidhan Sabha and demanded the resignation of Tota Singh. The agriculture minister had earlier said that he was not aware of any such purchase of pesticides by his department.

Tota Singh today said that all the ministers are directly responsible for the decisions taken in their departments and the Chief Minister's involvement is sought only on matters of policy and inter-departmental concerns. Therefore, there was no ground for involving the Chief Minister in the present case.