Chandigarh, Oct 02: The Shiromani Akali Dal announced a 12-point charter of demands as a pre-condition for dealing with the ruling Congress government. It said it was willing to attend any meeting called by Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh if his government accepted the demands of the people of the state in general and the farming community in particular.
These demands, including bonus of Rs 30 per quintal on paddy and continuation of free power to farmers, amounted essentially to fulfillment of promises made by the chief minister before or after assuming office, sad general secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a statement here.
The other demands included honouring the old age, handicap and widow pension schemes of Badal government, government job to at least one member of every Dalit family living below poverty line and 150 units of free electricity to Dalit families.

Sukhbir said Amarinder Singh should also give a categorical commitment for setting up a commission of inquiry headed by a high court judge in consultation with the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court to probe alleged cases of corruption.
"In short, before expecting anyone to take him seriously, the chief minister should first establish his credibility by fulfilling the promises made by him in the congress manifesto," the statement said. Bureau Report