Ex-agri chief meets CM, ‘seeks reinstatement’

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 5

Suspended Agriculture Director Mangal Singh Sandhu, an accused in the pesticide scam that rocked the state last year, today met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Kolianwali village in the district.

Sandhu was present at the residence of SAD’s Muktsar district president Dyal Singh Kolianwali much before the Chief Minister was to arrive there for lunch during his Sangat Darshan programme in the area.

Later, Sandhu held a closed-door meeting with the CM. Sandhu, who got two-year extension after his retirement in 2014, continues to be under suspension. His term will expire on April 30. He is a native of Pakki Tibbi village falling in the CM’s Lambi Assembly segment.

Sources said Sandhu had come to “apologise” to Badal and seek his reinstatement. When asked, Sandhu first declined having met the CM. When reminded about his presence at Kolianwali’s residence, he said: “I met the CM today regarding some development works in my village.”

On the case against him regarding the pesticide scam, Sandhu said: “I am out on bail and the police are yet to present challan in the court.”

Courtesy: The Tribune