The on-going standoff between Punjab cabinet and the state's Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh intensified further with the entire cabinet announcing boycott of all future meetings attended by him. Led by Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, the entire cabinet recorded their unanimous decision and communicated the same to Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Following an altercation with ministers during the inconclusive pre-cabinet liquor policy meeting on May 9, Karan Avtar Singh skipped Monday's meeting which was conducted by Home Secretary Satish Chandra. Sources claimed that Avtar Singh, also Financial Commissioner Excise and Taxation, had been asked by the government to stay away from the meeting owing to the evident dissent of the cabinet. The cabinet, in the very first few minutes authorised the CM who also holds the charge of excise department, to take a call on the liquor policy. The remaining time was reportedly spent on highlighting the 'issue' of the chief secretary and pro-contractor clauses put up in May 9 meeting.
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Sources claim that while the chief minister tried to strike a truce, the cabinet members were in no mood to listen saying the decision was not inspired by any ego clash but to uphold code of conduct and discipline in government functioning in interest of the state.
“His behaviour and body language was not in line with the accepted code of conduct since last two day. I informed the CM that from henceforth I will not attend any meeting where Karan Avtar Singh would be present. My colleague Chanranjit Singh Channi seconded my proposal and eventually entire cabinet took this decision and got it recorded,” said Manpreet Badal.
Meanwhile, Giddrebaha Congress MLA, Amrinder Raja Warring accused Karan Avtar Singh of holding vested interests in liquor policy. He took to Twitter to question his propriety with his son allegedly running a distillery in Kapurthala with a top liquor contractor. Though THE WEEK tried to get in touch with Karan Avatar Singh, he was unavailable for comment. Amid the reports of Karan Avtar Singh being on his way out, the state bureaucratic circles are abuzz with lobbying for the post of the chief secretary.