Punjab admits to £180 million bill burden

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government has finally admitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that at least £180 million bills of five key departments remain pending for clearance. After the state submitted details of amount due, at a hearing, the HC initiated suo motu proceedings seeking details of the budgetary provisions and source of funding of the Mukh Mantri Tirath Darshan Yatra scheme, “considering the fact that the state is failing to make even routine payments.” Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal submitted a 14-page affidavit saying £143.4 million liability pertained to the bills of five departments; school and higher education, local bodies, public works, sales tax and irrigation.