INLD will launch protest against loan proposal to Punjab

Karnal, Nov 8 (UNI) Former Haryana chief minister and Indian National Lok Dal supremo Om Prakash Chautala has decried the reported move of state government to provide Rs 1000 crore loan to Punjab and said his party would launch an agitation against any such step.

Talking to UNI, Mr Chautala said the step would give the state economy a big jolt. Even if given on Centre's guarantee, it would not be a wise step, adding ''How a state which can not provide even a drop of water to Haryana, was expected to return the loan?'' Besides, the Punjab government was on the brink of insolvency and did not even have enough means to provide payment to its employees, Mr Chautala claimed.

He also expressed apprehension that the loan money could be diverted by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's government for misuse of official machinery during forthcoming assembly elections in Punjab.

Mr Chautala said there was a strong possibility of change of guard in Punjab after the polls. ''The new government could put a spanner in the return plan of the loan to Haryana,'' he said.

If the government went ahead with its move to extend the loan, the INLD would launch a state-wide agitation, he stressed.

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