'Law & Order Under Complete Control': Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Responds To Governor's Letter

After the Punjab Governor threatened to write to the President over CM Bhagwant Mann's silence on the letters, Mann said that the law and order situation of the state is under complete control.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

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Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit earlier wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and sought information regarding the drug situation and upon receiving no response, he said that he will be forced to impose Presiden's rule in the state. CM Mann on Saturday responded to the Governor and said the law and order is completely in control. During a press conference, Mann said, "Yesterday, the governor threatened the peace-loving people of Punjab that he would impose President's rule. The governor has raised questions on law and order. Ever since our government came, a lot of work has been done. In the month of August alone, 41 kg of heroin was seized...Till now 753 gangsters have been arrested. 786 weapons and vehicles have been seized. Law & order is under complete control," reported news agency ANI.

Chandigarh | On Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit's letter to him, CM Bhagwant Mann says, "Yesterday, the governor threatened the peace-loving people of Punjab that he would impose President's rule. The governor has raised questions on law and order. Ever since our government… pic.twitter.com/E7qUvyqKtP

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2023

Governor Purohit on Friday wrote a letter to CM Mann and warned him for failing to "furnish information relating to the administration of affairs of the state." He said despite the letters, the Punjab CM did not provide the information that he sought.

The letter read, “I am once again constrained to write to you in connection with my correspondence dated 1st August 2023. In spite of these letters, you have still not given the information sought by me. It appears that you are deliberately refusing to give the information asked for by me.”

The letter further stated, “I regret to note here that in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution of India which makes it mandatory for the Chief Minister to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the State as the Governor may call for, you have failed to supply the information sought by me.”

The letter added, "Not furnishing the information which was sought by the Governor would be plainly in dereliction of the constitutional duty which is imposed on the CM....failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law & the Constitution. Bound as I am by the duty placed on the Governor under the Constitution to see that the administration is carried on a level which would be regarded as good, efficient, impartial and honest, and that the proposals enunciated by the government are not contrary to the law of the land, I, therefore, advise you, warn you and ask you to respond to my letters and give me the information sought.”

The Governor also said that he would have to resort to sending a report to President Droupadi Murmu if the sought information is not provided. The letter said, “Before I am going to take final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and take a decision about initiating criminal proceedings under section 124 of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the State, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law and the Constitution.”